Tahir Amin

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research recommended that the government urgently pursue Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and trade facilitation arrangements, particularly with the United Kingdom, to safeguard and expand Pakistan’s rice exports, after India gained a competitive edge through its FTA-linked relaxation of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the UK market.

The committee, chaired by Syed Hussain Tariq, issued the recommendation during a meeting held on Thursday, where members were briefed in detail on research, development, and export challenges facing Pakistan’s rice sector. Lawmakers stressed that Pakistan must respond strategically to India’s advantage by seeking similar trade concessions to enhance market access and strengthen the country’s export position.

The NA’s body further directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to engage with the relevant ministries to map out potential FTAs and trade arrangements that could open new opportunities for Pakistani rice in high-value markets.

During the meeting, members reviewed the progress of high-yield and climate-resilient rice varieties, productivity gaps, and ongoing efforts to improve export quality. Emphasising the need for stronger public–private coordination, the committee advised that private-sector representatives should hold a consultative session with the Secretary of the Ministry to develop a comprehensive model for boosting production and competitiveness. The proposed model will be presented in the next committee meeting.

Lawmakers highlighted the urgency of strengthening research partnerships involving public institutions, universities, and private-sector stakeholders to accelerate innovation and support evidence-based policymaking. The Secretary endorsed the recommendations, stressing that systematic collaboration is essential to building resilience against climate risks such as heat stress and flooding.

The committee also directed the Chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) to visit Thatta, engage with farmers and provincial authorities, and identify gaps in the agriculture system along with corrective measures.

A detailed review of the national seed sector was also presented, covering seed production, certification, quality standards, and cross-provincial movement challenges. The Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP), representing around 200 companies, proposed reforms including soft loans for storage infrastructure, private-sector participation in pre-basic seed production, improved variety evaluation, and easing interprovincial movement.

The SAP strongly opposed the introduction of genetically modified (GMO) corn, arguing that Pakistan’s existing non-GMO maize varieties already outperform GMO-adopting countries in yield and that no major pest pressures justify GMO deployment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Published Date: November 21, 2025