ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that local tea production would play a pivotal role in saving foreign exchange and boosting exports as Pakistan was currently spending a hefty $650 million annually on its imports.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan’s Tea Commercialization Strategy, he said that more than 600,000 hectares of land in Pakistan was suitable for tea cultivation, and the establishment of large farms and agricultural clusters can significantly increase production.
The event was attended by representatives of the FAO, provincial governments, agricultural experts and relevant stakeholders, said a press release.
The minister said that production was only the beginning – by activating the complete value chain, Pakistan can earn billions of dollars, adding that under the Uraan Pakistan framework, 26 agricultural clusters have been identified, which will serve as the foundation for value-added processing, new export opportunities and modern agricultural models.
The government considers the shift from raw production to value-added products a fundamental pillar of national development. According to him, effective measures in tea processing, packaging, and branding will enable Pakistani tea to secure a distinguished position in the global market, he added.
The government’s efforts were focused on increasing exports and reducing imports to protect the country from foreign exchange pressures, he said adding that modern techniques and trained experts will bring real transformation to the agriculture sector.
For this purpose, the government has already sent 1,000 agricultural scientists and researchers to China for advanced training, who will play an important role in bringing about an agricultural revolution through modern technologies, he added.
Highlighting various agricultural value chains, the Planning Minister said that billions of rupees can be generated through a complete value chain of rose petals. Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest date producer, and world-class products such as mango powder and date powder can be developed to significantly boost exports.
He also noted that the quality of Pakistan’s olive oil is superior to Spain’s renowned olive oils and meets global standards, making it a promising new export avenue for the country.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that investment across all agricultural value chains -including tea – will usher in a new era of sustainable development, food security, and export stability for Pakistan.
The Federal Minister appreciated the FAO’s initiative and praised its support for enhancing local tea production. He added that the participation of Chinese experts has provided a strong foundation for this project.