LAHORE – Najam Mazari, head of the Institute for Organic Food and Products Research, has called on the government to make organic agriculture part of Pakistan’s national agricultural policy. He stressed that global demand for organic products is rising, and Pakistan must act quickly to expand its share.
Speaking at a seminar titled “The Growing Global Trend of Organic Food”, Mazari said that Pakistan’s farmers need better training, certification systems, and freight subsidies for exports. He suggested that state-owned land in all four provinces should be turned into pilot “Organic Zones” to promote sustainable farming practices.
Experts attending the seminar also discussed the growing importance of organic agriculture and shared recommendations for the sector’s growth. Mazari noted that Pakistan is currently exporting small quantities of organic rice, dried fruits, honey, and other goods. However, these volumes remain far below international demand.
He highlighted that the United States, Europe, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, and the UAE are major markets. The European Union’s “Green Deal” has further increased demand for chemical-free agricultural imports.
Mazari emphasized that adopting international standards of certification, labeling, and packaging could significantly boost exports. He said organic agriculture is not just a global trend but a necessity for the future. With the right policies, the sector could also uplift Pakistan’s rural economy.
To support sustainable growth, he urged the establishment of Organic Agriculture Research Cells in agricultural universities. These would help transfer modern techniques to local farmers.
He also proposed creating organic export clusters, bringing producers, packers, and exporters onto one platform. Such clusters, he explained, would strengthen supply chains and improve Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
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