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Agricultural & Livestock Product Marketing & Grading Department
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.NO QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. A complete updated set of
Ordinance/Law/Rules/Act/Proce
dure in respect of your
department may kindly be
furnished to the Coord Section.
i) Name of the Department Agricultural and Livestock Products, Marketing and Grading Department.
ii) Status Attached Department.
iii) Enactment, Rules, The Department under the Ministry of Food & Agriculture is a counter-part of
Resolutions, Notifications Agriculture and Marketing Department, of pre-partition India. The Department
Ordinance/Law/Act/Procedures of Agricultural Marketing was established on the recommendation of the Royal
under which this Department Commission on Agriculture in 1935 by the Government of un-divided India and
was Established is functioning as such in Pakistan since its creation in 1947. There exists a
specific statute from pre-independence days under which the Department carries
out its regulatory functions.
a) The Notification for the establishment of the Department can not be traced
here and may be available in the pre-partition India. However, a sanction bearing
No.F.3-137/49-CS dated 10-02-1950 on the revised set-up of this Department is
enclosed as annexure-I(A) (then named as “Cooperation and Marketing
Department”)
b) Establishment Division’s O.M. No.48/24/50-M.E. dated 18-4.1951 enclosing
there-with a list of attached Department is enclosed as annexure-I(B). serial
No.10 refers.
c) Copy of Agriculture Wing Notification No.F.13-21/66-E, dated Ist May,
1968 regarding functions and re-named as Directorate of Agricultural Marketing
and Grading, is enclosed as annexure-I ( C ).
d) Ministry of Food & Agriculture, (Agriculture Wing) Notification No.F.2-
16/75-AM &G dated 13th August, 1975 to re-designate the Department as
“Agricultural & Livestock Products Marketing & Grading Department” and also
the Head of the Department as “Agricultural & Livestock Marketing Adviser”,
is enclosed as annexure-I(D)
iv) Organizational chart of the Enclosed as Annexure-II
Department
v) Functional chart of the Enclosed as Annexure-III
Department
vi) Act This Department Administers the Agricultural Produce(Grading & Marking)
Act, 1937, copy enclosed as annexure-IV.
vii) Functions a) Grading of Agricultural & Livestock Commodities meant for export
b) Agricultural Commodity Research
c) Marketing Intelligence
2. Data required from attached
department/subordinate
departments/associated
autonomous organizations
regarding department name,
location, Gazetted & Non-
Gazetted staffs strength
Department Name Agricultural and Livestock Products, Marketing and Grading Department
Location 4th Floor, Jamil Chamber, 262 A.M. Saddar, Karachi-74400 (Head Office)
Gazetted Staff (Total) 33
Non-Gazetted Staff (Total) 211
3. Mission Statement of the Mission Statement
Department.
The Royal Commission on Agriculture(1928) recognized the need
for the establishment of an improved Marketing System. The
Commission, inter-alia, made two main recommendations viz (I)
establishment of Government Agricultural Marketing Organizations
both at Centre and in the Provinces and (ii) regulation of wholesale
markets of agricultural produce.
2. After the establishment of Pakistan, an Agricultural Enquiry
Committee was formed in 1951. The committee looked into the
various agricultural problems including those in the area of
agricultural marketing. This Committee emphasized the need for
ensuring better prices to the farmer for his marketable surplus by
keeping him informed about market prices, increasing his holding
power, minimizing cost of marketing etc.
3. The Food and Agriculture Commission formed in 1960
recommended to improve agricultural marketing practices, through
system of regulated markets organize a strong market information
service and disseminate information on crop supplies and prices etc.
4. In so far as legislation in respect of agricultural marketing is
concerned, there are two Acts namely ; i) Agricultural
Produce(Grading and Marking) Act, 1937. This is a Federal Act and is
administered by the Agricultural and Livestock Products Marketing
and Grading Department. The Act provide for undertaking grading
and quality certification of agricultural and livestock products for
export. The other Act is known as Agricultural Produce(Markets) Act,
1939 is a provincial Act. The Federal Agricultural and Livestock
Products Marketing and Grading Department, which was established
in 1937 is carrying out its allotted functions since then in the field of
agricultural marketing, market information and Grading before export.
4. A BRIEF ON ACTIVITIES, A BRIEF ON ACTIVITIES, PROGRESS / ACHIEVEMENTS
PROGRESS / AND FUTURE PLANS OF THE DEPARTMENT
ACHIEVEMENTS AND
FUTURE PLANS OF THE
1. INTRODUCTION:
DEPARTMENT
The Federal Agricultural and Livestock Products Marketing
and Grading Department is one of the oldest Departments under the
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. In the early 1930’s the
Royal Commission on Agriculture had recommended Grading and
Marking of Agricultural produce in order to ensure on one hand better
return to the growers and farmers and on the other regularize export of
uniform quality of the produce. Accordingly, an Act namely; the
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 was
enforced in 1939. In pursuance of the said Act the Agricultural and
Livestock Products Marketing and Grading Department was setup
under the then Government of undivided India.
In 1972 a-fore mentioned Act was amended to restrict the
jurisdiction of the Federal Government to the Grading and Marking of
agricultural produce meant for export or for trade between the
provinces.
2. ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The main functions of the department under the rules of
business are:
i) Compulsory Grading of Agricultural and Livestock
Commodities before export.
ii) Agricultural Commodities Research and
iii) Marketing Intelligence
Compulsory Grading of Agricultural and Livestock Commodities
before export.
The Department Administers an Act called Agricultural
Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 for grading of
Agricultural and Livestock Commodities on compulsory basis before
export. So far compulsory grading and quality control of 41 items
both of agricultural and livestock origin has been enforced. These
are: (1) Chillies (Whole) (2) Dry Salted Fish/Shell Fish (3) Citrus
Fruits (4) Fish Meal (5) Lime and Lemon (6) Animal Hair (7)
Potatoes (8) Animal Casings (9) Oil Cakes/Solvent (10) Lamb Skin
(11) Onion (12) Wool (13) Garlic (14) Eggs (15) Ginger (16)
Animal Bones (17) Turmeric (18) Hides & Skin (Export Banned
presently) (19) Mango (20) Radish (21) Brinjal (22) Peas (23)
Asparagus (24) Brussels Sprouts (25) Pumpkin (26) Cauliflower (27)
Tomato (28) Cucumber(Khira) (29) Cucumber(Kakri) (30) Carrot
(31) Beans (32) Artichoke (33) Celery (34) Turnip (35) Green
Chillies (Large) (37) Lady finger (39) Guava (40) Molasses (39)
Dates (40) Banana (41) Cumin seed. Until 1963 the Department was
undertaking grading of agricultural commodities for local marketing
as well. For this purpose, it had introduced grading of ghee, butter,
eggs, mustered oil and Park Mark Ghee had become a house-hold
name due to its quality. The subject of internal marketing and
grading for domestic consumption was transferred to the provinces
under the 1962 constitution.
2.1.i Facilities for Grading:
In order to check the quality of the exportable commodities
the department has setup a Test House at Karachi with facility of
physical chemical and microbiological analysis of notified items. In
addition, facilities for inspection and quality certification have been
provided at Islamabad.
The grading and quality control arrangements run in two
parts (i) Preliminary grading at up-country markets and (ii) Grading
and Testing at export points. In cases of items which are highly
perishable like fruit and vegetable reliance is laid upon physical
examination at the place where the consignments are prepared for
export /presented for inspection and a Certificates of Quality if issued
on the same day. In case where the commodity is subject to laboratory
testing the samples are drawn from each particular lot and sent to the
Test House for analysis. At the Test House the sample is put to
various tests for evaluating it grades. On completion of results a
Certificate of Quality is issued against individual lot. The Certificate
of Quality inter-alia shows the number of packages, weight of
consignments and other physical, chemical and micro-biological
characteristics. The Certificate of Quality remains valid for different
periods according to their keeping quality/perishability.
2.1.ii One-Window Operation/Speed and efficiency of work:
Keeping in view the perishable nature of fruit and vegetable
the department has in addition to the above facilities setup a grading
centre at the Karachi International Airport which works on round the
clock basis. Such facilities have also been provided at the Lahore and
Islamabad International Airport and the staff is available for grading
and quality certification. The introduction of grading of any
commodities depends upon the concurrence of the Ministry of
Commerce. Unless the Commerce Ministry includes the commodity
under their Import Export (Control) Act, the department is not in a
position to implement grading and quality certification. Since, all the
commodities being graded by the department are meant for export; it
has always been tried to ensure that the consignments are not held up
from export due to any procedural delays of grading. There is not a
single instance where any consignment was held up due to delay by
the department. For the purpose the department follows the shipping
schedules the merchants working and practices in the trade. Speed is
the essence of grading work, particularly in perishables the fruits and
vegetables, and thus it is not the exclusive benefit of a few but is
provided to everyone without exception. It was ensured that late
sitting; working during nights and on holidays was also followed.
This has been followed without compromise on efficiency.
2.2 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES RESEARCH
Agricultural Commodities Research comprises both economic and
scientific (Laboratory) research primarily with a view to identifying
the deficiencies/drawbacks in the marketing of Agricultural and
Livestock Products as well as laying down the national grade
standards of quality for exportable commodities. National Grade
Standards of 41 items have since been prepared and enforced through
Export Policy Order 1998. The department has taken in hand
preparation of grade standards of some additional commodities. These
commodities are Plums, Peaches, Pears, Apricot, Hina powder,
Persimmon and Apple. The grade standards of Apple are in final
stages and will be implemented soon. Moreover, 47 marketing
research reports embodying the prevailing situation, problems and
suggestion for improvement have been prepared and published.
The National Grade Standards are reviewed periodically and amended
/ revised as and when these are considered necessary. The purpose of
such revisions is to bring about (i) the existing preparation techniques
or quality standards and bring them in line with other international
standards and (ii) the changing demand pattern in the importing
countries. This review of the systems and procedure of grading and
updating of standards is a continuous process.
2.3 MARKETING INTELLIGENCE
The Department collects, compiles, analysis and
disseminates wholesale prices of agricultural and livestock items with
varying frequencies and of various markets of the country. The
analysis of prices so collected from different markets is then supplied
to various end-users and stakeholders. A summary of monthly price is
prepared for consideration of E.C.C. In addition, Ministry of
Commerce, Federal Bureau of Statistics, Planning Unit are supplied
with the prevailing prices of agricultural and livestock items. This
Department serves as primary source of information to make
recommendation for Agricultural Produce Price Policy at national
level.
5. DEVELOPMENT 2.4 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
PROJECTS OF THE
2.4.1 In pursuance of the Government Policy regarding the uplift
DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Sector of the country, the Department has implemented
the following Development Project:
2.4.1.i Agri-Business Development: A five year Agribusiness
Diversification and Development Project
costing Rs.4066 million has been implemented. The project aims to
develop :
i) Agribusiness policy and enabling environment development
ii) Agribusiness capacity building
iii) Agribusiness Support Fund provision
iv) Agribusiness Finance Development.
OBJECTIVE
To support economic growth and employment generation
through agribusiness development
OUTCOME
To develop a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector
TOTAL COST :
RS. 4.1 BILL. INCLUDING ADB LOAN RS. 1.9 BILL.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
All Provinces of Pakistan and FATA, FANA and AJK
SPONSORING AGENCY:
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL)
EXECUTING AGENCIES:
• Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL)
• State Bank of Pakistan
• Provincial Agriculture, Livestock and Marketing
Departments
• Agriculture and Livestock Departments of FATA, FANA and
AJK
TARGET SECTORS
Overall Focus
Entire Agricultural Business to:
• Strengthen and support demand driven private sector service
delivery mechanisms throughout the agribusiness value chain from:
supply inputs, production, processing, cool chain for domestic and
export markets
Specific Area of Focus
• Horticulture and Horti-business
• Livestock and Dairy business
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
• Provision of appropriate support services for agribusiness
development in the private sector
• Agribusiness Finance Development to enable agribusiness
access to credit
• Capacity building for private sector agribusiness service
provision, and rationalization, restructuring and coordination of
public sector agencies
• Develop an appropriate policy and enabling environment for
private-sector-led agribusiness development
• Project implementation support
PROJECT IMPACT
• increase the production of agriculture sector as a whole.
• exploit potential of non-conventional sub-sectors of
agriculture such as horticulture, hortibusiness, vegetable production
and floriculture
• improve production of livestock sector
• enhance income of the farmers
• create employment opportunities in agribusiness sector
• lead to poverty alleviation
• minimize post-harvest losses with an estimated local market
value of $522 million / year
PROJECT INTERVENTIONS TO REMOVE
CONSTRAINTS AND THEREBY INCREASE
PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVE PRODUCT QUALITY AND
ADD VALUE
- Provide demand driven business development support in
agro-enterprise start-up and expansion
- Increase access to agribusiness finance from financial
institutions
- Revise and update the agribusiness regulatory framework
- Strengthen and upgrade testing and certification facilities for
seeds, nurseries, and crops
- Streamline the collection and dissemination of market
information
- Strengthen agribusiness technical training capacity
- Formulate a national agribusiness policy and provincial
horticulture policies
- Build awareness of the need to comply with international
agricultural standards and practices
AGRIBUSINESS SUPPORT FUND (ASF)
• Capacity building of existing agribusiness enterprises
• Support to individual farmers and farmers groups for
agribusiness services
• Demand-driven research to improve quality production and
processing
• Support to small scale farmers to supply raw materials to
agribusiness enterprises
• Support for private sector BDS providers
• Finance 50 % of service cost to eligible agribusiness
enterprises
• Finance 100% cost of establishing farmer group enterprises
LIVESTOCK AND DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
(LDDB)
• Coordinate national and provincial activities in
livestock and dairy
• Promote investment in the sector
• Promote livestock as vehicle for poverty alleviation
• Conduct study on livestock and dairy to identify
constraints
• Develop livestock and dairy policy
PAKISTAN HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT AND
EXPORT BOARD (PHDEB):
Horticulture Project Unit (HPU) to be established within
PHDEB to:
• Contribute to provincial horticulture policy
• Identify recipients for cost sharing grants
• Identify enterprises, farmer group enterprises and
processors to determine needs
• Identify farmer groups, exporters, packers and
processors that wish to become internationally
compliant
• Provide assistance to obtain project support
POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES
• Agribusiness Support Fund
• Agribusiness enterprises
705
• Farmers’ groups
1,250
• Farmers in groups
12,500
• BDS providers
100
• Research & extension providers
30
• Agribusiness Finance Development
• Agribusiness enterprises financed
10,000
• Employees in agribusiness enterprises (direct) –
person years 100,000
• Employees in supporting activities (indirect) –
person years 700,000
• Agribusiness Capacity Building
• Farmers trained – on-farm technical training
25,000
• Agribusiness awareness trainees
3,200
• Training institute (GCCs, VTIs, etc) trainers trained
816
• Extension officers trained
500
TIME & COST
– Over a period of 5 years : 2005 - 2010
– Local Costs: Rs. 3,492.00 million
– Foreign Exchange: Rs. 574.00 million
– Total Costs: Rs. 4,066.00 million
– ADB Loan: Rs. 1,860.00 million
– GOP Funding: Rs. 1,414.00 million
• Counterpart funding: Rs. 414.00 million
• Spl. / Prov. Grant: Rs. 1,000.00 million
– Private Sector: Rs. 792.00 million
– Total Rs. 4066.00 million
BREAKUP OF RS. 1 BILLION ALLOCATION
(Rs. Millions)
Area Capacity Building Investment Program Total %
Special Areas 110 160 270 27.0
FATA 35 48 83 8.3
FANA 35 48 83 8.3
AJK 35 48 83 8.3
ICT 5 16 21 2.1
Provinces 90 640 730 73.0
Punjab -- 333 333 33.3
Sindh 30 134 164 16.4
NWFP 30 110 140 14.0
Balochistan 30 63 93 9.3
GRAND TOTAL200 800 1000 100.0
2.4.2. On the directives of the Prime Minister Secretariat to design
a reliable mechanism for forecasting of prices of items of daily use by
common man.
The Department had acquired the services of FAO
Consultant to prepare a guideline for preparation of the
Project. The Project titled “Crop Scouting and Price
Monitoring of Essential Items of daily use by Common
man” has been prepared for implementation.
The project is under consideration of DDWP of
MINFAL.
The project is likely to be started in 2006-07.
2.4.3. The Prime Minister Committee on Prices has directed
MINFAL to prepare plan for Improvement of markets and marketing
system in the country.
In pursuance of the decision of the Committee a PC-II has
been prepared namely; Improvement of Agricultural and
Livestock Market and Marketing System”.
PC-II has been approved by the DDWP of the
MINFAL.
FAO has been requested to provide services of an
International Consultant to assist in establishment of
modern marketing, market information of
agricultural and livestock products in Pakistan.
2. 5 PROGRESS/ACHIEVEMENTS DURING LAST YEAR:
(i) GRADING & RESEARCH
The department carried out its grading and quality
inspection work of livestock commodities meant for export during the
last year under reference:-
(ii) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMODITIES
Prepared draft standards of Pear, Plums, Peaches, Apricot,
Melon, Persimmon and Honey sent to MINFAL for draft notification
in the gazette as required under the Rules.
(iii) MARKETING INTELLIGENCE
Activities during the last year of Marketing
Intelligence Branch are as under:
- Daily wholesale prices of 186 items are collected from
Karachi market and disseminated through a daily Market News
Service Bulletin to the press and different Government Organization.
- Daily Wholesale prices of 88 items are collected from Karachi
market and supplied to Radio Pakistan, Karachi for broadcast
with copies to the Planning and Development Department,
Government of Sindh and Federal Bureau of Statistics,
Karachi.
- Week-end wholesale prices of 234 Agricultural and Livestock
Products from 40 important markets are collected, processed
and tabulated for the preparation of Monthly Journal entitled
“Markets and Prices” including monthly review of prices of
Cotton, Oil Seeds, Wool and Hides & Skins.
- Wholesale and retail prices of 24 essential food items for daily
use are collected from 11 important markets of the country on
daily basis, and compared as well as issued on weekly basis.
- Fortnightly wholesale prices of Potato, Onion and Maize at
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta markets are supplied to
Assistant Chief Export, Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad.
- Monthly wholesale prices of Wheat, Rice, Cotton, Tobacco
and Wool from Karachi market and Wheat also from
Faisalabad market are collected as well as supplied to the
Planning Unit, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Islamabad.
- Monthly average wholesale prices of Milk are collected from
the important markets of Pakistan and supplied to the Federal
Bureau of Statistics, Karachi.
- Monthly average wholesale prices of about 70 Agricultural
and Livestock Products at Karachi market are collected and
supplied to Station Supply Depot, ASC, Karachi and to other
Army Depots in Karachi.
- Daily wholesale prices of 09 important items are collected
from Karachi market and supplied to Export Promotion
Bureau, Karachi on daily basis.
- Daily wholesale prices of 05 important items are collected
from Karachi market and supplied to Deputy Director,
I.E.R.D., State Bank of Pakistan, Karachi on daily basis.
- Daily wholesale prices of 10 important items are collected
from Karachi market and supplied to Officer Incharge,
PASSCO Liaison Office, Karachi on daily basis.
- Daily wholesale prices of 186 important items prevalent at
Karachi market are supplied to Daily Newspaper “
BEOPAR”, Karachi on daily basis.
- Weekend wholesale prices of Khandsari and Gur prevalent in
important markets of Pakistan are supplied to Section
Officer(Sugar), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Islamabad.
- Daily wholesale and retail prices of Wheat Flour in various
important markets are collected and supplied to Section
Officer (Wheat), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Islamabad with a copy to Senior Marketing Officer (Price),
Islamabad.
- Monthly wholesale and retail prices of Sugar (Refined)
prevalent in important markets of the country are supplied to
Section Officer (Food-I), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Livestock, Islamabad.
- Weekly average wholesale and retail prices of Wheat and
Wheat Flour prevalent in important markets of Pakistan are
supplied to the Section Officer (Wheat) and its copies to Joint
Secretary (Food), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Livestock, Islamabad and Senior Marketing Officer (Price),
Islamabad.
- A monthly wholesale and retail price review of 14 essential
food items covering 10 important markets of country are
prepared and submitted to the Secretary, Ministry of Food,
Agriculture and Livestock, Islamabad.
- Draft Summary on prices of Potato (White), Potato (Red),
Onion and Pulses are prepared and supplied to Commissioner
Minor Crop, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Islamabad for the meeting of Economic Coordination
Committee.
- Weekly average wholesale prices of different livestock
commodities are supplied to Deputy Animal Husbandry
Commissioner (Milk & Meat), Ministry of Food, Agriculture
and Livestock, Islamabad.
- Monthly average wholesale prices of different Agricultural
Commodities on form ‘L’ are supplied to the Chairman,
Agricultural Price Commission, Islamabad and other different
Departments at Karachi.
- Weekly average wholesale and retail prices of Sugar (Refined)
in important markets of Pakistan are supplied to Section
Officer (Food-I), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock,
Islamabad.
- Monthly average wholesale and retail prices of essential food
items are supplied to Director (Economic Wing), Ministry of
Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Islamabad and copy to
Senior Marketing Officer (Price), Islamabad.
- Weekly average wholesale prices of Fruits and Vegetables at
Karachi market are supplied to Manager Marketing, Pakistan
Horticultural Export Development Board, Karachi and
Lahore.
- Daily average wholesale and retail prices of Sugar(Refined)
are supplied to Sugar Cane Commissioner, MINFAL,
Islamabad.
- Daily average wholesale and retail prices of 14 different
essential food items are supplied through E-mail to P.S.
Additional Secretary, MINFAL and to the Commissioner
Minor Crop, MINFAL, Islamabad along-with the weekly
average wholesale and retail prices of 24 essential food items.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
i) The grading of agricultural products has been held in
abeyance under Cabinet directive in Trade Policy 2000. The
Cabinet had directed to redesign the existing system under the
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act.
ii) The recommendations of the Committee formed to examine
the grading system have not been fully reflected in the Trade
Policy, 2004. The matter has been taken up with Export
Promotion Bureau for revival of the grading of agricultural
produce. This is necessary to ensure export of uniform quality
produce and enhancement the credibility of the country as an
exporter of good quality produce. Besides, it will help to met
the requirements of the buyers and meet the laws and
regulations of the importing country / WTO.
iii) The Department has recently signed a MOU with PHDEB for
jointly monitoring of inspection of Horticultural produce
meant for export.
iv) The grades and standards of quality of agricultural produce
may be given wide publicity through the courtesy of
Commercial Attaches in Pakistani Embassies abroad. The
standards may be circulated among various agricultural
inspection agencies, importers of agricultural produce so that
they may enter in to contract for supply of goods on basis of
these standards.
6. What steps are being taken In order to support the farmer under Agribusiness Development
to facilitate the growers in and Diversification Project, Market Information Services will
marketing of their produce? provided and awareness about marketing will be created among
farmers particularly for small landholders.
At the Federal level the Agricultural and Livestock Products
Marketing and Grading Department has been allotted following
functions:
(i) Grading of Agricultural and Livestock Commodities for
export
(ii) Agricultural Commodities Research to lay down
national grades and standards of agricultural and
livestock commodities for export; and
Marketing Intelligence services.
i)Grading of Agricultural and Livestock Commodities for export
In order to regulate the export of quality produce this Department has
implemented an Act namely; the Agricultural Produce (Grading and
Marking) Act. This Act enables the Department to carry out the
compulsory grading of the items of agricultural and livestock origin,
before export. Grading before exports helps to bring about
improvement in marketing techniques, packing and packaging, thus
ensuring better returns to the growers.
ii) Agricultural Commodities Research to lay down
national grade standards of agricultural and livestock
commodities
Under Agricultural Commodities Research, the grades and standards
of quality of individual commodities are laid down after market and
laboratory research. The grades and standards pass through various
stages which include meeting with agricultural experts and
Agricultural Institutions of the country to finalize standards before
implementation. Grades and Standards of Quality of 42 items of
agricultural and livestock origin have been prepared for export
purposes. The grades and standards are reviewed and revised from
time to time.
In order to facilitate the growers and exporters of agricultural produce
this Department has prepared Videos for training of the farmers,
contractors and the traders of the fruits and vegetables. Inspection and
Exporters Manuals have also been prepared for guidance of
stakeholders which include the Departments inspection staff and
exporters.
iii) Marketing Intelligence Services
Under the activities of Marketing Intelligence Services, price
information of different combination of the commodities with varying
frequencies is collected and supplied to the different stakeholders and
to the press. Weekly price statement of about 26 essential items is
supplied with comments on the prices and reasons for variation
thereof. The department also prepares a monthly summary of essential
items for supply to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Livestock
and Economic Wing of MINFAL.
Agricultural Produce Market Act
In order to provide for better regulation of the purchase and
sale of agricultural produce and the establishment of markets for
agricultural produce and make rules for proper administration an Act
called the Agricultural Produce Market Act has been adopted by all
the four provinces. A Market Committee has constituted comprising
of members from the growers of the notified market area, persons
carrying out business in agricultural produce and a member
nominated by the Government. This Committee monitors and
regulate working of the market.
Development Project
(1) For the overall development of the agricultural marketing
sector, a project of Agribusiness Development and
Diversification Project costing Rs.4066 million has been
implemented. The project aims to give attention to higher
value cash and horticultural crops (2) livestock development
for meat and milk production, collection and processing. The
objective of the project is to give due attention to economic
growth and employment generation. The project will help in
:-
1. Increasing the production of agriculture sector as a whole.
2. Poverty alleviation.
3. Skill enhancement in horticulture, hortibusiness, livestock,
dairy, floriculture and in vegetable production.
4. Formulation and re-orientation of national policies with
regards to above sub sectors of rural economy.
5. Improving production of livestock sector.
6. Exploiting potentials of non conventional sub-sectors of
agriculture sector such as horticulture, hortibusiness,
vegetables production and floriculture.
7. Enhance income of the farmers
8. Arresting rural-urban migration by creating employment
opportunities in agribusiness sector.
Training will be provided under Farmer Field School
Component of the Project to enhance the knowledge of the farmers
regarding harvesting technique, grading and packing procedure.
Under Farmer Field School (FFS) training programme farmer will
also train about what to produce, when to produce and how to increase
their productivity.
7. What Strategy has been The FFS extension methodology is a relatively new approach for
adopted to provide training to farmer training but has been successfully piloted in Pakistan by
the growers and farmers? CABI, a Pak-Swiss funded horticultural project, other NGOs and
MINF AL extension staff. The FFS concept is basically integrated
crop management through Training to Trainers (ToT) and Training
to Farmers (ToF). The FFS focus is on farmers as decision makers
in crop and pest management techniques and the use of non-formal
adult education methods using farmers' fields as the primary
classroom for the training/learning process to develop.
Each classroom of FFS will comprise not more than 25 farmers
although more than one training course on the same crop could be
held concurrently. Each FFS will be issued with production and
harvesting equipment in the first year of the project implementation
period. Training on ToT and ToF would be completed, with farmers
training beginning in earnest in the second year and continuing in
years of the Project. The FFS concept will be implemented as a pilot
program in each of the four provinces and special areas over a period
of five years, targeting a minimum of five crops per province (fruit,
vegetables and/or flowers) on a demand-led basis. It is estimated that
during the Project life
(i) 5 crops per provinces, will be targeted,
(ii) 125 master trainers familiar with the FFS concept will
develop ToT curricula and training modules per crop,
(iii) 500 staff from Agricultural Extension, NGOs research
institutes, private sector and projects will receive ToT training
to enable them to facilitate FFS events.
1,000 FFS events involving crop specific seasonal interventions will
take place. (v) 25,000 farmers, including woman farmer groups, will
receive on-farm training on IPM, ICM and related issues
(2) The Agribusiness Support Fund (a non-profit company) has
been established to help group of farmers for agribusiness activities
through grants. This will promote growth agriculture sector increasing
the production sector as a whole, exploiting potential of non-
conventional sub sectors of agriculture, enhance income of the
farmers and hence poverty alleviation.
8. e) The number of Officers 1. Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Kalasra, Ph.D. (Agri. Econ.)
with a Ph.D. in agro-based Assistant Director (M.I.) BPS-17
Science and Technology (He is on Ex-Pakistan Leave, E.O.L.)
presently working in the 2. Mrs. Sabeen Naz, Ph. D. (Botany)
Agriculture Departments in the Testing Assistant (BPS-13)
Country. (The case for admissibility of Ph. D. Allowance is under
consideration of MINFAL).
f) The amount of Research Nil
Allowances at present
admissible to Agro Scientists
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