Karachi, February 22, 2024 – The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Farmers Association in Pakistan is urging the government to permit the export of Khashkhash (poppy seeds), citing its widespread use as a household item.
The call comes after the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwarul Haq Kakkar, took steps to regulate the cultivation of cannabis plants for medicinal and industrial use, a move applauded by the SME Farmers Association (SMEFA).
Convener of SMEFA, Zulfikar Thaver, commended the government’s decision to regulate cannabis cultivation, extraction, refining, manufacturing, and sale of derivatives through a presidential ordinance. Thaver described it as a wise and bold step, asserting that it would not only promote exports but also generate valuable foreign exchange for the country. Furthermore, it is expected to enhance the income of SME farmers and provide employment opportunities for laborers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Thaver emphasized that the SMEFA had previously urged the government to allow the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery (Gur), the latter of which has already been declared a food item by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). While the cultivation and refining of cannabis have been legalized, the government has yet to permit the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery.
Masood Khan, an exporter of commodities, questioned why, given the recent ordinance recognizing the trade of hemp, charas, and other items, the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery has not been allowed. Hussain Ali, facilitating shipment for farmers, stressed the importance of officially permitting the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery, discouraging smuggling practices.
Members of SMEFA have appealed to the caretaker Prime Minister to promptly allow the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery, aligning it with the recent ordinance. The SMEFA argues that with the ordinance in place, it is time to legitimize the export of these items and ensure their contribution to the national economy.
In a related development, the Lahore High Court has already ruled in favor of jaggery production and trade, restricting both provincial and federal governments from hindering the industry. However, the government’s reluctance to permit jaggery exports, possibly influenced by certain interests, has raised concerns.
The Ministry of Commerce acknowledged that the ban on jaggery export was an oversight during the sugar export ban and assured that the export of jaggery would be allowed soon. However, the implementation of this decision appears to have been delayed, raising questions about the reasons behind the inaction.
As SME farmers continue to advocate for the export of Khashkhash and Jaggery, the government faces calls to align its policies with the evolving economic landscape and ensure fair opportunities for all stakeholders in the agriculture and commodities sector.
