Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed has said that Indian goods are banned in Europe, America, Russia and many countries of the world but Pakistani food commodities are welcomed all over the world due to its best quality. He said that we had a bumper potato crop this year so we decided to make arrangements for export on a massive level. We in cooperation with federal government contacted the farmers and exporters who responded positively. Our farmer is devoted and hard working and we are trying to create an environment where h may earn good profits, the minister added. Dr. Farrukh Javed told that during last three months we have exported 1.2 lakh metric tons of potatoes to Russia, Sri-Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Somali, Singapore and Maldives. According to the details, 34483 Metric Ton potatoes are exported to UAE, 41283 to Sri Lanka, 11231 to Malaysia, 2977 to Qatar, 18637 to Bahrain, 6989 to Oman, 1045 to Kuwait, 191 to Maldives, 492 to Singapore, 875 to Russia and 59 metric tons to Somalia. He said that there is no duty on the export of potatoes and government is facilitating the exporters. He said that potato has been cultivated over four lakh acres this year which is 3.5 per cent higher than the last year. He said that keeping in view the average production of last five years at 3.36 million tons (95%) in Punjab, there will be still a surplus of at least 0.3 million tons minimum in Punjab which should be exported. Our prime objective is that the growers get maximum benefit of their hard work and a better price can be offered to them, he added. He said that farmers are getting direct benefit from potatoes export and we will continue to export surplus crop. He said that government of the Punjab is spending billions of rupees on several projects related to agriculture for the benefit of the farming community.
