The government has initiated urgent measures to stabilise the agricultural market following a sharp decline in potato prices, a crisis attributed to the closure of the Afghanistan border which has choked off a primary export channel.
According to an official information today, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), under the direction of Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, is spearheading a coordinated response to protect the interests of farmers facing financial hardship.
The halt in trade with Afghanistan, a traditionally significant importer of Pakistani potatoes, has created a supply surplus within the domestic market, adversely affecting both growers and exporters.
In an inter-ministerial effort, the MNFSR is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce to explore alternative international markets and establish new trade routes for the crop.
To accelerate overseas sales, the commerce ministry has been tasked with identifying foreign importers. A list of 36 potential new export countries has been identified and shared with exporters to aid in market diversification.
As a facilitative measure, the food ministry also informed stakeholders that the challan fee for the issuance of the required Phytosanitary Certificate for export is Rs. 2,500.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain affirmed the administration”s commitment to safeguarding farmers and enhancing agricultural exports through effective coordination and the pursuit of sustainable market solutions.