LAHORE:
As worldwide demand for chemical-free and traceable meals continues to develop, policymakers and exporters are revisiting the potential of the natural sector to safe a stronger foothold in world markets.
The worldwide natural meals market is anticipated to succeed in $300 billion in 2026 and projected to develop even steadily within the coming years. Trade observers consider the chance is actual, however provided that structural gaps are addressed.
Najam Mazari, the top of an institute researching natural meals and merchandise, has proposed a complete framework to strengthen natural exports and hyperlink small farmers with worldwide consumers. He mentioned that the sector can enhance export earnings whereas additionally supporting rural communities, supplied {that a} coordinated technique is adopted.
In accordance with Mazari, one of many core challenges is the fragmented nature of natural farming. “Most natural growers function on small landholdings, which makes particular person certification each expensive and sophisticated,” he mentioned. “If farmers from the identical area kind clusters and apply for certification collectively, the burden could be lowered. It would additionally enhance high quality management, traceability and the flexibility to safe bigger export contracts.”
He additional recommended that devoted natural zones ought to be established on the sample of commercial export processing zones. “We want specialised amenities for storage, chilly chain administration, chemical-free processing, laboratory testing and fashionable packaging,” Mazari mentioned. “With out correct infrastructure, it’s tough to satisfy the strict necessities of markets in Europe and North America.”
He additionally careworn the significance of presidency facilitation. “Certification prices, lab testing and participation in worldwide exhibitions are main hurdles for small and medium-scale exporters,” he mentioned. “Assist within the type of price subsidy, simpler financing and coverage continuity could make a significant distinction.” He added that branding and joint participation in world commerce festivals are important to construct recognition for natural merchandise overseas.
Whereas Mazari presents a forward-looking roadmap, the bottom realities paint a extra advanced image. Pakistan continues to face recurring meals safety issues, significantly associated to staple crops reminiscent of wheat and sugar.
Regardless of producing surplus wheat and sugar in a number of seasons, authorities have repeatedly turned to imports to stabilise home provide and costs. Storage limitations, weak procurement administration and inter-provincial coordination gaps have usually undermined the dealing with of conventional crops.
Nisar Ahmed, a small-scale progressive farmer from southern Punjab, mentioned the natural push have to be seen inside this broader context. “We have now to be reasonable, when the standard meals system is battling storage shortages and provide chain inefficiencies, shifting instant focus to a extremely specialised natural infrastructure won’t be simple.”
He identified that wheat procurement stays uneven throughout provinces, with insufficient warehousing capability resulting in post-harvest losses. “If we can not correctly retailer our staple crops in all areas, creating separate, high-standard amenities for natural merchandise would require distinctive administrative capability.”
He additionally highlighted farmer readiness as a important issue. “Natural farming is research-driven and protocol-based. It calls for strict compliance, documentation and long-term dedication,” he mentioned, including “a big section of our farming group faces challenges reminiscent of low literacy, restricted technical coaching and rising enter prices. Many farmers are hesitant to undertake practices that seem dangerous or advanced.”
In accordance with him, transitioning to natural cultivation shouldn’t be merely a matter of incentives. “It requires sustained extension companies, farmer schooling and credible certification our bodies. With out constructing capability on the grassroots stage, coverage bulletins alone won’t ship outcomes,” he added.
Nonetheless, Ahmed didn’t dismiss the sector’s potential. “Natural exports can definitely turn out to be a further income stream,” he mentioned. “However they need to complement, not distract from, efforts to strengthen meals safety. First, we should stabilise and modernise the standard agriculture system. As soon as that basis is stable, scaling up natural manufacturing will probably be extra sustainable.”
“Frequent shifts in import and export selections create uncertainty for farmers and merchants alike. A steady, long-term technique is required for each staple crops and high-value natural merchandise,” Ahmed added.
