Pakistan still facing total absence of demand-driven research in rice field.

Byline: Khalil Ahmed

Govt should follow REAP's suggestions for future prospects in the rice economy

Interview with Mr Mahmood Baqi Moulvi - Chairman, M. M. Group of Companies

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:

Mahmood Baqi Moulvi: I am currently serving as an advisor to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Chairman M. M. Group of Companies. I have previously held the post of Chairman REAP (Rice Exporters' Association Pakistan) and General Sectary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi region.

M. M. Group of Companies is one of the fastest growing professionally managed organizations of Pakistan started by myself in 1986. Since then the company's activities have diversified and progressed over a range of industries such as grains (rice and wheat), oil seeds and meals (canola, soybean, sunflower), palm oil and its fractions, trading of coal, shipping and cargo handling services (stevedoring), poultry (layers, broilers and fresh meat) as well as being a stock brokerage house offering clients to trade shares in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and trade commodities such as gold and silver on the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange.

PAGE: Your comments on the current state of rice production in Pakistan:

Mahmood Baqi Moulvi: The current state of rice production in Pakistan is very poor due to our inefficient agricultural practices. For example, we currently experience 15 percent harvest and post-harvest losses. This means we lose roughly $0.5 billion per annum on the rice we grow. Our irrigation water efficiency is only 33 percent whereas the global average stands at 90 percent. Our crop yields are at 2.7 tons per hectare whereas the world's highest yield is currently 9 tons per hectare. Furthermore, we have failed to invest in seed research programs.

PAGE: Could you tell us about the modern methods being used by the farmers for rice production?

Mahmood Baqi Moulvi: Pakistani farmers have switched to planting certified seeds to grow rice. Laser levelers are now being utilized but their use needs to be scaled up. Furthermore, farmers have switched to employing nursery trays and mechanical transplanters. Kubota harvesters are being dedicated to harvest rice, thereby abandoning older, more traditional, and inefficient methods. New dryers and silos have been established to maintain the excellent quality of rice produced.

PAGE: How do you see the agriculture sector of Pakistan ten...