Islamabad:The Ministry of National Food Security & Research (NFSR) has informed that during the year Pakistan has saved 129 million US dollars as an import substitute by producing more pulses (moong and gram) as compared to last year. Pakistan has produced 76,000 tons and 53,000 tons more of moong and gram respectively as compared to last year, as confirmed by Provincial Crop Reporting Departments in the Federal Committee on Agriculture meeting.
During the year, record production of rice in the history was reported which is 8.18 million tons from an area of 3.3 million hectare showing an increase of 10.39%. It is also estimated that export of rice will be increased as 780,000 tons produced more rice as compared to the previous year.
The production of sugarcane also increased significantly as compared to last year which is 13.96%. During the next year, it is assumed that Pakistan will go in an export scenario of sugar rather to import. The production of maize is also satisfactory and maize will also remain in the export scenario with the fulfillment of domestic requirements on reasonable prices. It is also informed that during the year, nature will remain in favour of Agro-Economy and with the initiative of Prime Minister Package on Agriculture, we are planting the seeds of new Agro-Economy and we fix the wheat target of 27 million tons in the next year.