The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has called upon the Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana to play a mediator's role between the provincial agriculture ministry and the REAP for implementation of phytosanitary standards at farm level and development of high yielding seed varieties. REAP Chairman Samee Ullah Naeem made this demand during a meeting with the Governor Punjab at the Governor's House here on Tuesday. He was leading a delegation of the rice exporters which also included Pir Nazim Ali Shah and executive committee members of the Association.

Samee raised the issue of disconnect between the agriculture policy being a provincial subject and rice exports being a federal subject. He said 70 percent of the Pakistani rice production is exported but this second biggest sector is being neglected.

He requested the Governor to mediate a dialogue between the Punjab Ministry for Agriculture and the REAP for implementation of phytosanitary standards at farm level, development of high yielding seed varieties and inclusion of NIBGE (National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering) in Rice Research Board Punjab and recognition of new high yielding varieties like 1121 of Pakistan.

While speaking on the occasion, Rajwana assured the rice exporters of his full support in resolving the issues faced by their sector. He said he would raise voice in their favour both at the federal and provincial levels to boost rice exports from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, REAP Chairman Samee Ullah Naeem expressed his displeasure that despite repeated attempts, representatives of the Association are not being heard by the Secretary Agriculture. He said they are trying for the last one month to get an appointment from the Secretary but to no avail.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017