Food security vital to ensure economic stability: Alvi.

ISLAMABAD -- President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday said that value-addition of horticulture produce is crucial for Pakistan to boost its exports and get an edge in the highly competitive international market.

Addressing a seminar on 'Trade Potential of Pakistan Citrus: From Roots to Trade Routes' here, the President said it was important for the country to improve quality standards of local fresh fruit with improved packaging and preservation to attract high-end markets. The seminar organized by Ministry of Commerce and Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry was attended by traders, exporters and horticulture experts of citrus.

President Alvi said Pakistan was rich in production of citrus being the world's sixth largest producer of superior quality Kinnow, however, stressed an effective policy to broaden the scope of exports. He said phytosanitation - a systematic approach of pest prevention in food crops, and organic farming could enhance yields besides reducing the chances of rejection by the importing countries citing 'unsafe' produce.

He mentioned that China, Japan, Korea and several other developed countries could prove attractive markets for Pakistan's fresh fruits and emphasized the need for adapting to their stringent food standard policies.

Dr Alvi said food security was important for economic stability...