The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association has expressed its disappointment over the recently announced federal budget, criticizing the lack of support for the agriculture sector despite its critical role in the country’s economy.
According to Waheed Ahmed, the Patron-in-Chief of the association, no relief package has been introduced for the agriculture sector in the federal budget, even though the sector is grappling with multiple challenges, including water scarcity, high input costs, lack of research and development, and the pressing need for modern pack houses and storage facilities.
Waheed Ahmed pointed out that the budget failed to address core issues facing the sector, such as the promotion of low-water-consuming crops and incentives for developing new varieties and orchards in the horticulture sector. He emphasized that climate change remains the biggest threat to agriculture, yet the allocation in the federal budget to combat its effects is insufficient.
He also voiced regret over the absence of incentives or facilitation for boosting agricultural exports. Highlighting the worsening issue of food insecurity in Pakistan, he stressed the urgent need to increase agricultural production to meet domestic demands and to generate foreign exchange through surplus exports.
Furthermore, Waheed criticized the government for not offering any specific facilities to promote horticulture exports in the budget. Instead, he noted, the government has announced reductions in duties and additional taxes on imported materials, a move that could potentially increase Pakistan’s import bill at a time when the country should be focusing on strengthening its export base.
