With bumper crops in the last two years Pakistan produced enough wheat to meet the domestic needs and to export. In the present year wheat has been exported to Afghanistan. Iraq, Sudan, Dubai, Kenya, Somalia and many other countries, with shipments to many other countries in the pipeline. It is estimated that this year the total surplus with public sector agencies for export will be around 1.0 million tons.
As Pakistan changed from an importing to an exporting country in international market. It had to face big challenges. Fulfilment of export rules and regulations imposed by International organizations such as WTO/TRIPS Codex Alimentarious commission, and competition in quality with developed countries including Australia, Canada and America, were perhaps the biggest hindrances to exports. These countries possess the most advanced technologies and trained manpower, and have developed a monopoly in the international market. In 2001, wheat exported to Iraq was returned because of higher inorganic foreign matter (stones) percentage and in 2002 Iran refused to import our wheat because we were not able to convince them that our wheat was free of a week seeds called ‘striga’. On the other hand recently Egypt has lifted ban on Pakistan’s wheat after a visit of Iraqi delegation to Pakistan who where convinced that Pakistan is producing good quality wheat.
Although Pakistan producing wheat of “A” grade quality as compared in the following table, due to some technical reasons we have not been very successful in capturing international market. One of the fundamental requirement in this context is the quality assessment / assurance of the produce (chemically) by an authentic laboratory.
According to international quarantine laws and quality standards, exportable wheat has to be tested chemically and biologically and certified by a quality control laboratory that can perform these tests according to international standards. Its products in the international market will also provide trained manpower and facility for researchers and students to undertake research in this area.
The foundation-stone of the grain quality-testing laboratories complex at National Agricultural Research Centre, (NARC) Islamabad was laid by the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Khar Mohammad Junejo on May 16, 2002.
This is strongly felt by the government that few research organizations have staff and limited facilities for carrying out these analysis in the country and their role was not effective due to lack of adequate equipment, expertise and a legal administrative framework. It was therefore desired that grain testing laboratories of international standard be established in the country.
On the directive of the President, a project “strengthening of grain quality laboratories” has been launched. According to this project two grain quality testing laboratories will be established, one at NARC, Islamabad to serve the public and private sectors in grain producing areas, and another at the Tropical Agricultural Research Centre, in the port city of Karachi, for final inspection and check in of grain before shipment.
These laboratories would serve as the nucleus for qualitative testing of agricultural produce by public and private sectors keeping in view the WTO/TRIPS and Codex. Alimentorious requirements. Such testing shall enable Pakistan to fetch proper prices in the export market, and gain more begins.