ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister National Food Security and Research (NFSR) Tariq Bashir Cheema and Secretary Zafar Hassan successfully got approval for the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to export more rice to Russia by 15 more mills, following the recommendation after a technical audit by the DPP, said a press release issued here Friday.
The move is a significant success towards improving exports and the overall economy of the country.
Russia banned import of rice from Pakistan a few years back due to pest interception in rice.
However, the ban was lifted in 2021, with permission to only four mills which complied with their quality standards to export rice from Pakistan to Russia.
The DPP with the support of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) took special measures to upgrade 15 more mills as per the Guidance Document prescribed by the Russian Federation for compliance with the requirements for rice exports.
Good News for Rice Exporters and Farmer
Now, 19 rice enterprises from Pakistan could export rice to Russia. This was a big achievement of the Government of Pakistan which brings special news particulalry, for the rice farmers of Punjab and Sindh, as its primary beneficiaries.
In addition, Pakistan being an agrarian economy, could also look for enhancing exports in other domains as well by improving quality standards as per global markets. This agreement opens a gateway to further exports to international markets given the quality standards remain sound.
Further, the up-gradation of more rice processing facilities is in the pipeline with DPP, to make them at par with international standards in order to achieve major shares in high-end markets of US, Asia, Europe and Australia.
APP
