Secretary General (Federal) of Businessmen Panel (BMP) and former FPCCI chairman Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports, Ch Ahmad Jawad has urged the government to take up the matter of kinnow rates and ensure farmers' rights which is part of the manifesto too of the incumbent government so that maximum export targets could be achieved. They also advised All Fruits and Vegetable Exporters, Importers (PFVA) officials to consult growers extensively before deciding the rates.
He said that citrus growers have rejected purchase rate of Rs 600 per 40/kg kinnow decided by the 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 said that last year 40kg kinnow were purchased for Rs 850 and now Rs 600 per rate which is unjustifiable as the prices of DAP, potash and urea have gone up compared to 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.
"In previous government tenure, the urea and DAP prices were Rs 1200 and Rs 2380 per bag respectively. Now in the incumbent government, the urea and DAP prices are Rs 1925 and Rs 3395 per bag respectively and the price of potash Rs 4200".
He also shared the details that right now there is mistrust between exporters and growers on the ground. The growers 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 reasons that they want to please themselves financially through the attractive rate like sugar mafia did a few years back with the sugar cane growers.
Punjab produces over 98 percent 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 be enable to increase 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 said that 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.