SAHIWAL: Pakistan will export up to one million tonnes of potato because of its bumper crop. Around 30,000 tonnes of local potato has already been exported to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia and the United Arab Emirates so far.

This was disclosed by Dr. Farrukh Javed, the provincial agriculture minister, while presiding over a high-level meeting with some potato growers at the Commissioner Office on Wednesday.

He assured the growers that the government had asked the Plant Protection Department to facilitate them in getting quality control certificates so more local growers could be accommodated in the export.

Earlier, he said the potato growers in Punjab got a bumper crop and its total production had gone to 3.7 million tonnes.

“This is will reach four million tonnes. This is 35pc higher than the previous year’s potato production,” he added.

Providing details of potato export, the minister said in the last one week, 639 tonnes, 113 tonnes, 61 tonnes, 116 tonnes and 87 tonnes of potatoes have been exported to Russia, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bahrain, respectively. Before that 26011.12 tonnes of potato had been exported to these countries.

Growers of the region were protesting and demanding the Punjab government fix potato support price otherwise they would have to bear huge losses in the local market because of bumper crop. This was why the government decided to export potato immediately.

The minster assured the growers that due to immediate export of potato, the crop’s market price in the local market would stabilise. He also told them Punjab government would take stern action against dealers and manufacturers selling fake and spurious pesticides and seeds.

He also said the government would fulfil its promise regarding provision of subsidy to growers, adding a subsidy of Rs10 billion and Rs5 billion would be offered on fertiliser and rice, respectively.

Sahiwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sohail Anjum demanded delivery of export orders to more potato growers of Sahiwal division.

He said, “If the government has allowed surplus crop to be exported then it must facilitate local potato growers in getting more orders.”

DEVELOPMENT: The Divisional Development Working

Committee has approved four development schemes worth Rs239.1 million.

Commissioner Sohail Shahzad said a 5.7km long metal road from Arifwala Morr to Harrapa Nai Wala Bangla via Ada Bhullawala and another 5km long Deepalpur Bypass Road will be constructed with Rs133 million.

A water supply scheme would be set up in Sher Garth village for Rs95 million as well as a sewerage scheme in 59/SB village, Pakpattan district, for Rs11 million.

Development Director Habib Jillani said work on the four schemes would start soon.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2015

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