Haroon asks SMEDA to help farmers in preservation of their products

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority (SMEDA) to help facilitate the farming community in the preservation of their products. During a meeting with the representatives of the Kissan Ittehad here on Tuesday, the SAPM Haroon Akhtar said that unfortunately, Pakistan’s agriculture sector was severely lacking modern preservation and packaging facilities. He said that due to the unavailability of such modern facilities, a significant quantity of fruits and vegetables goes to waste. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, Capt Saif Anjum (retd), and the CEO of SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth. Detailed discussions were held on agriculture, fruits and vegetables, their preservation, and export potential. The President of Kisan Ittehad highlighted that due to the lack of modern preservation and packaging facilities in Pakistan, a significant quantity of fruits and vegetables goes to waste. He further emphasized that the absence of food processing, packaging, value addition, and cold storage facilities remains a major bottleneck in the food sector. The farmers’ delegation informed the meeting that the national agriculture sector was facing the following serious challenges: Waterlogging and salinity, coupled with decreasing groundwater, have reduced the overall productivity of the land. (ii) Climate change and extreme weather, as irregular weather patterns, including heavy rains and prolonged droughts, destroy crops and affect planning. (iii) In most parts of the country, outdated technology is still used, which results in low productivity. Over 65 percent of farmers still use traditional methods, such as manual sowing and wooden ploughs. This results in low yields per acre compared to global standards. (iv) The majority of farmers work on small, fragmented plots that are not economically viable. (v) High prices for fertilisers, seeds, and fuel, combined with limited access to affordable credit, make it hard for small farmers to invest in modern, productive techniques. (vi) Inadequate cold storage and poor road infrastructure lead to a 15–20 percent annual loss of crops. Addressing the participants, Haroon Akhtar stated that value addition and modern packaging play a pivotal role in enhancing exports of fruits and vegetables. He underscored that SMEDA will play an important role in equipping farmers and exporters with modern techniques and skills. He further noted that the adoption of modern technology and advanced food processing techniques in the agricultural sector can significantly increase the value of products. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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