ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that policy interventions, in close coordination with all stakeholders, will soon be initiated to enhance dates export from Sindh.
Talking to High Commissioner of Canada Greg Giokas, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Paul Molloy and Agricultural Counsellor of the United States in Pakistan on Wednesday, the minister said that new regulations and structural changes would be introduced to bring in a quantum jump in the export of dates.
Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Agricultural Department of Sindh and Smeda would also be taken on board to provide policy input and smooth execution of the project.
He said that the initiatives would boost rural farm income in Sindh particularly in date sector.
He was of the view that the country can boost exports by reducing wastage, value addition, improving packaging and branding of the product.
He apprised the diplomats that the government had made adequate mechanism in the current budget to provide access to microfinance facility to small and medium-sized farmers.
The commerce ministry would also coordinate with the local chambers of commerce and industry and the agricultural unions to seek their proposals and successful implementation of the initiative, he added.
Khurram said that there was a need to create value-chains in the dates producing areas which would benefit the low-income farmers of the region.
Published in Dawn, September 18th , 2014
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