- The cultivation of sorghum drops by 89% since 1994, according to TDAP data.
- China reduces American imports, opens the sorghum market for Pakistan.
- Experts push hybrid seeds, mechanized agriculture to increase yields.
Pakistan is positioning itself to draw on the China market at 2.6 billion dollars on the importation of sorghum, seeking to stimulate the local culture of tolerant harvesting at drought and to unlock $ 500 million in exports during the next decade, the officials shared during a seminar on Thursday.
The Pakistan Commercial Development Authority (TDAP) organized the session to Sahiwal, uniting agricultural experts, traders, farmers and decision -makers to revive the production of sorghum. Once a staple food, culture cultivation has dropped 89% since 1994 – from 438,200 to 46,697 hectares, according to TDAP data.
“The opportunity is clear. Revitalize the culture of sorghum, in particular in marginal lands like Thal and Cholistan, could transform this culture into export power,” said Athar Hussain Khokhar, Director General of the Agro Food Division of TDAP. He highlighted a sharp drop in American sorghum exports to China – down 81.8% in January – in the midst of trade tensions, creating a supply difference that Pakistan could exploit.
China imports more than 9 million tonnes of sorghum per year, mainly for food for livestock animals, baijiu production and biofuels. Beijing’s diversification far from American suppliers opens a door in Pakistan, noted Ghumlam Qadir, Pakistani councilor on trade and in placement in Beijing.
The seminar experts highlighted the need for high -efficiency hybrid seeds, mechanized agriculture and solid extension services to stimulate the productivity of current levels of 0.8 ton per hectare with a global average of 3.26 tonnes. Dr. Qamar Shakil, principal scientist of the AYUB Agricultural Research Institute, said that the alignment of China preference for high -level varieties and low tannins would be the key.
The participants underlined the challenges, in particular the absence of a health and phytosanitary protocol with the general administration of the custom of China, a low post-harvest infrastructure and limited varieties of exporting quality. The proposals included technological partnerships with Chinese research organizations, the modernization of the supply chain and the exploited of the Chinese-Pakistani Economic Corridor (CPEC) for logistics advantages.
TDAP said that he planned to promote Sorghum at a competitive price in Pakistan during fairs, focusing on its cost advantage of 30 to 40% compared to other suppliers. “With strategic investments, Sorghum could reflect the success of sesame exports from Pakistan, potentially generating $ 1 billion per year in five years,” noted the agency.