FAISALABAD
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Oxfam Pakistan to improve the sustainable productivity and quality standards of Basmati rice value chain.
Vice Chancellor, UAF DR Iqrar A. Khan, and Country Director Oxfam Pakistan, Mohammed Qazilbash, signed the MoU in a ceremony held at the university. Rice forms about 7.5 per cent of the total export earnings. It is has a vibrant rice sub-system that caters to most of the production of which roughly 70 per cent is exported. The MoU signifies mutual cooperation for reducing social, economic and environmental challenges faced by rice growers in the rice value chain.
The lives of rice growers in Pakistan are hostage to adverse socio-economic and environmental conditions. A range of factors, including a lack of sufficient monetary compensation for labor, shortage of health facilities, civic facilities, education, and government support along with natural hazards have adversely affected rice growers.
The Basmati rice supply chain in Pakistan is characterized by a high number of challenges; issues of uncontrolled chemical use, causing health issues as well as pollution of soils, water and the environment. Additionally, the highly volatile prices of inputs prevent rice producers from making profits. Many growers are in a debt spiral and cannot avail credit or loans. Last but not the least, climate change patterns in Punjab cause extreme weather conditions, alter the dates of cropping seasons and increase the occurrence of pests and diseases.
The project to improve the lives of rice growers in Pakistan will be piloted by Oxfam and Doaba Foundation.
