Pakistan, being an agro based economy, is primarily known for its aromatic Basmati rice in the world but it may lose the position in Middle East as Philippine is all set to introduce the same Variety of rice in the region.
The foreign country which once itself was a rice importing country is now looking forward to export the Basmati rice to the gulf region after being self sufficient in various varieties of rice.
Philippine has almost stopped importing rice so far and it was looking for exports of high quality rice (Basmati) which may pose serious threat to Pakistani products in the region, Taufiq Ahmed Khan of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan told Pakistan Today.
“In the absence of any research and value addition mechanism in the country Pakistan may lose the important markets where its aromatic Basmati has a high demand,” he said adding that many foreign countries were already experimenting to grow the highly demanded varieties of rice and other agricultural products.
“The most impact of the introduction of Philippine rice in the region would be on Pakistani products, causing the loss of over $ 1 billion worth exports,” he said adding “Approximately 70 percent of the country’s rice goes to Middle East”.
In order to have the hold on the existing markets besides taping new markets the country was needed to have research facilities, high tech milling machinery and local fabrication, and maintenance and improvement of quality of the agricultural product.
According to sources Qatar and Kuwait were the leading Middle Eastern countries which were willing to import the Basmati rice from Manila. The Philippine and Qatar government recently signed several agreements to boost trade and investment ties. One of the agreements focused on agriculture and fisheries sectors. The Philippines used to be the world’s top rice importer, purchasing as much as 2 million tons of rice in 2010. The foreign country has vowed to make itself sufficient in rice by 2013. Since 2011, the country has drastically cut down its import requirement.
It is worth mentioning here that rice is the third largest crop after wheat and cotton. It is grown over 10 percent of the total cropped area. Rice is highly valued cash crop and is also major export item. It accounts for 6.7 percent in value added in agriculture and 1.6 percent in GDP. Pakistangrows enough high quality rice to meet both domestic demand and allow for exports of around one million ton per annum.
Different varieties of rice are grown in Pakistan for example Super Basmati, Basmati PK-385, Irri-6, Irri-9 and KS-282 etc. Pakistan is primarily known for its aromatic rice (Super Basmati/Basmati PK-385).
Absence of sui generis law for geographical indications to protect Pakistan's heritage in Basmati. Absence of seed protection law. Total apathy in seed maintenance and development. REAP allowing mixed rice exports. These are the issues not Phillipines growing Basmati. Thailand tried and failed some years back. Phillipines can grow what they want. If they can call it Basmati, it is Pakistan's own fault.
Bhandari Foods was set up to provide a wide range of quality products to its already existing range of distinct quality Pakistani Basmati and Non-Basmati rice. Over the years we have been adapting, growing and expanding to a variety of nutritional and quality products to cater to the continuously changing dynamics of the food industry.
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