Lack of food preservation, value-addition technology: Country suffers Rs 50 billion losses yearly

Pakistan loses fresh food items worth 50 billion rupees every year because of lack of food preservation and value-addition technology. Pakistan's fruit exports stand only at 4.25 percent of total production, whereas major exporting countries such as Greece, Morocco and Spain export over 50 percent of the produce of fruits.
This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while presiding over a training programme entitled 'Food Safety Management System' at Nestle Hall. The session was organised by National Institute of Food Science and Technology (Nifsat), UAF, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority(Smeda). Alamgir Chaudhry, provincial chief of Punjab Smeda was the chief guest.
Dr Iqrar said the significance of the food industry to the economy can be measured with that it is contributing 23 percent to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), giving 42 percent of available workforce. He said that to overcome the losses, it is a prerequisite to adopt state-of-the-art technology and to enhance the net of storage system in the country. He maintained under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime, the food industry would have to comply with international food safety, quality and environmental and social standards.
He said that the world market has a lot of potential for the 'Halal' food. Malaysia and Thailand have a great share in 'halal' meat market. He called for increasing the meat and dairy production to earn heavy foreign exchange by exporting it after meeting the country's needs.
Nifsat Director General Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum said the agro processing industry is contributing 22.7 percent of the total value-added in the manufacture sector. He said that milk production stands at 31 million tons. Pakistan also enjoys a position among the top ten citrus fruit producers across the globe, he added. "The emerging trade scenario at the global level brought challenges to Pakistan's export", he said, adding that the issues like food hygiene, and quality environment standards have started sounding the note of warning for Pakistan's major exports.
Alamgir said that the country produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with total annual production estimated at 14 million tons, including 7.14 million tons of fruits, 4.69 million tons of vegetables and 2.27 million tons of condiments. He said that Smeda was established in October 1998 to take on the challenge of developing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. With a futuristic approach and professional management structure it has focus on providing an enabling environment and business development services to small and medium enterprises.
Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that ISO 22000 standard specifies the requirements for an organisation's food safety management system that seeks to be more focused, coherent and integrated. It combines elements of standards to ensure food safety along food chain.
He stressed the need to take more measures to meet the international standards. Dr Sarfraz Ahmad shed light on food safety matters and hazards. He said that by using state-of-the-art techniques, the country can earn heavy amount by increasing per acre production and counter the food losses. He also called for making food secure. Dr Kamran Sharif spoke about understanding and development prerequisite programs.