Muneeb ur Rehman

Horticulture is mostly neglected when it comes to discussing Pakistan’s agricultural potential. Ahmed Umair, CEO of Vital Green Limited, sees a huge potential in horticulture to reduce the country’s trade deficit. Talking to WealthPK, he said though Pakistan has fertile soil and a favorable climate for agriculture, the sector’s actual potential has not been materialized yet.’’

Horticulture constitutes a large part of the total imports related to agriculture in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, $870 million worth of horticultural products are imported each year, while the exports stand at $674 million. He expressed concern over a further rise in demand. Currently, the total demand for horticultural products is 17 million tonnes per year whereas it is expected to exceed 50 million tonnes per year in 2040.

Highlighting the way forward, he asserted, “Pakistan needs to reserve more land for the horticultural products that are in demand in the global markets. Among them, ornamental plants from our country are highly valued abroad”. In Pakistan, the total covered area for agriculture is 22 million hectares out of which only 6% is under horticulture production [3.5% for vegetables, 2% for fruits, and 0.5% for ornamental plants].

He emphasized the need to link the farmers with small landholdings with the export supply chains. The farmers with small landholdings can reap the fruits from horticultural practices. Conventional crops on small lands give less return to the farmers. Linking them with the export supply chains will help Pakistan bridge the gap between imports and exports.

Keeping in view the perishability of horticultural products, Umair underscored the need for improved infrastructure. He added, “To ensure fresh and high-quality supplies to the global markets, improved infrastructure is a pre-requisite. The government can also provide storage facilities in this regard”. Concluding, he said Pakistan had been facing trade deficit for a couple of decades and despite favorable climatic conditions, it lagged behind in realizing its actual potential. In this scenario, promotion of horticultural practices packs a great opportunity for exports.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk