Punjab Minister for Agriculture, Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi has said that a Separate and comprehensive research is needed for value chain of every agricultural product to improve the quality and efficiency of agricultural production.
While presiding over a meeting of the Committee formulated to Value Chain Study for Agriculture sector here on Thursday, he said that study about value chain will not only provide complete knowledge about needs of the consumer but also help in balancing the demand and supply.
Hussain Jahania Gardezi said that the value chain study can improve the quality of processing by reducing post-harvest losses. In addition, we face losses up to 50 percent in fruits that can be reduced after value chain study.
He said that we have to focus on different programs. Research projects have to be formulated keeping in view which areas have to be given priority first in regard of cultivation of crops. He added that we have to pave the way forward.
The Minister Agriculture directed the Chief Executive PARB to create a detailed dashboard so that the value chain can be taken forward keeping in view the needs of different regions as which crop is suitable for the region.
He directed to frame a value chain project on Mangoes, Tomatoes and Dates while consultation with all stakeholders.
Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi further said that agricultural universities should play their role in agricultural value chain study and in this regard all universities need to formulate such research programs that could end the issues of food security.
On this occasion, Dr. Abid Mahmood ,Chief Executive PARB, briefed the Provincial Minister that the cultivation of crops in Europe and the United States has been done while keeping in view the agricultural value chain study.
This is done so the demand of the consumer can be met besides farmer also get profit from his product.
The study of Value Chain has not been done in Pakistan before.
The meeting was attended by Chief Scientist Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Faisalabad Dr. Akhtar while Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr. Anjum Ali, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture,.
