Interview with Mr. Anis Majeed– Chairman, Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]Profile
Mr Anis Majeed is the Chairman of Karachi Wholesale Grocer Association (KWGA). He is the Chairman of Import and Export Pulses Committee of KWGA. He has remained a managing committee member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the member of taxation committee of KCCI. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Sub-Committee of FPCCI.
Mr Anis Majeed has been in pulses business for more than 35 years. He and his brothers took over business from their father who established pulses processing plant for more than 50 years ago. They have been maintaining the business and started indenting, import and export of pulses since 1985.[/box]
PAGE: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON AVAILABILITY AND PRICES OF PULSES?
ANIS MAJEED: Pulses in Pakistan have a big scope as the production of Pakistan’s pulses is more or less 5 to 7 lac tons and the consumption is about 12 to 14 lac tons. Therefore, we are bound to import more or less half quantity of pulses into Pakistan. Whereas, we have the ability to grow and fulfill our requirements and export the surplus amount of pulses. For this we need to educate the farmers and provide them seeds and fertilizers of good quality and give them the information that how can they grow the product when they are in full swing. As we are importing pulses so we have to follow the international market and the prices of Pakistan are according to the international market. If all the pulses are grown in Pakistan, they will be available at reasonable prices. As we are importing throughout the year to meet current consumption demand and keep availability in the market at all times.
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PAGE: WHAT MUST BE DONE TO FACILITATE THE FARMERS FOR BETTER PRODUCE OF ALL TYPES OF PULSES?
ANIS MAJEED: In Sindh, farmers are not concentrating on production of pulses, hence production is decreasing gradually. They are going towards alternative crops as they don’t get a support price for pulses. Neither they have proper facility to get high yielding seeds, fertilizers and government support and motivation to grow pulses. We need to work hard by educating the farmers and giving them incentives.
PAGE: HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE SECTOR OF SINDH?
ANIS MAJEED: In this regard, the policies of government matter a lot. First, the concentration should be given to increase the production by giving incentives and at the time of harvesting full and final crop size should be determined and after that it should be decided that whether the crop is enough for our consumption or we have shortage or excess so that it can be decided to be imported or exported and all this information should be provided to farmers. In past, it was observed even when the crop size was more than consumption, export was not allowed and the foreign exchange was lost, which could have been earned by selling in international market. My suggestion would be that importance to pulses should be given and government should make timely policies regarding the pulses.
PAGE: HOW HELPFUL IS THE KISSAN PACKAGE?
ANIS MAJEED: Kissan Package is a good attempt of government to facilitate the farmers. There should be more awareness programs and farmers should be educated for alternate crops as pulses crops help fertile the soil. In modern irrigation practice, farmers change crops and give respite to the soil so it does not lose its fertility. Modern methods and practices should be adopted. Since pulses are a minor crop in Pakistan hence it is not given much attention. Farmers should be given specific benefits to grow pulses which will be an added advantage in saving foreign exchange and meeting local consumption demand.