By Qudsia Bano ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (INP-WealthPK): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said the prudent policies had resulted in Pakistan achieving a record production of 9 million tonnes of rice this season. “Pakistan will have 11.5 million tonnes of rice, including leftover from last year, and can earn up to Rs4.75 billion from exports this year,” he says. “The target of 8.5 million cotton bales is expected to be achieved as 6.8 million bales were produced during November 2021-22 as against 4.1 million bales produced in the same month of last year,” he told media. “A record 87 million tonnes of sugarcane will be produced this year.” Mr Imam says the government has taken several steps to enhance the agriculture sector’s productivity, showing positive results in the record production of major crops like rice, maize, wheat and sugarcane. “During the current season, we have achieved record production of 9 million tonnes of paddy, which was 8.4 million tonnes during the previous season. We have 2.5 million tonnes of paddy leftover of the last season, which if combined with this year’s production, takes the stocks to 11.5 million tonnes. This shows that we are well positioned to earn ample foreign exchange in the range of Rs4 to Rs4.75 billion through export of rice during this year,” he maintains. The minister says he has proposed the setting up of a national oversight committee headed by the prime minister to explore new markets and boost rice exports. “There is an ample scope to increase rice exports to Latin America and Africa as well.” “After achieving record rice production, our embassies and high commissions will have to step up efforts to further increase rice exports to China, Kenya, UAE, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, which are our long-term clients,” the minister says.