ISLAMABAD: The former Chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports and the Businessmen Panel Secretary General (Federal), Ch Ahmad Jawad said Citrus growers have rejected purchase rate of Rs 600 per forty kilogram kinnow decided by the All Fruits & Vegetables Exporters, Importers (PFVA) and processing plants owners for coming season 2019-20.
He said the growers have demanded the authorities concerned to address farmers’ grievances and announce reasonable rates for kinnow.
Jawad told that last year 40 kg kinnow were purchased for Rs 850 and now Rs 600 rate which is unjustifiable as the prices of DAP, Potash and Urea have gone up compare with last year including the price of diesel reached up to Rs 133 per litre, so how growers can compete that rate when their cost of production already increased.
He also shared the details that right now there is a mistrust between exporters and growers on the ground. The grower felt that exporters cut their share and export a product on a good rates but they don’t show them the figures of their volumes and international price rate.
Similarly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf district party office bearers have a key influenced on the kinnow factories in Sargodha and mostly owners hailed from the PTI, one of the reason that they want to pleased themselves financially through the attractive rate like Sugar Mafia did few years back with the sugar cane growers.
He urged the Government to take up the matter of rates and ensure farmers’ rights which is part of the manifesto too of the incumbent government so that maximum export targets could be achieved and also advised PFVA officials to should consult growers extensively before deciding the rates.
As Punjab produces over 98% of the fruit mainly in Sargodha district because of its favourable growing conditions and adequate canal and sub-soil water. Kinnow constitutes 80% of the citrus fruit and is a major export commodity.
He further mentioned application of modern techniques and traditional practices at all stages of growth and during the post-harvest phase can not only add value to the fruit which attracts premium prices but can also increase exports which fetch foreign exchange.
Citrus Research Institute Sargodha is responsible for undertaking research and development work on kinnow and other citrus varieties, besides the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
Though introduction of seedless varieties from abroad could also enable increased and sustainable production of kinnow for enhanced trade. Agriculture departments are required to engage the farmers and develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing the priority issues in the short term and follow a long-term strategy for citrus development on a sustainable basis aimed at increasing exports. There is a need to identify the growers, prepare a database and develop a platform involving the growers, exporters and traders for listening to grievances of the growers and exporters.
Jawad believed awareness campaigns should be kicked off about field practices, harvest and post-harvest handling, transportation and processing through an integrated and coordinated programme involving all the stakeholders. (INP)
