Rice Personality
Mr. Javed Islam Agha Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan CEO, Reem Rice Mills (Pvt.) Limited Human development is product of short and long term struggle of few legends in the history. But there are individuals, who did struggle in life synonymous to each other. Rice sector of Pakistan is highly indebted to 4-5 legends, who devoted themselves for the progress of rice sector by inspiring vision, taking bold initiatives and leading the sector through odds. Javed Islam Agha is appraised as one of the legendry pioneers who made the struggle for rice as part of life during last 25 years. He is an Electrical Engineering Graduate from UET, Lahore having experience with national and international market. He was the founder chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan from 1994-1997. Again he is elected Chairman REAP for the period of 2011-2012. He is Chief Executive officer of Reem Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture of Al-Muhaidib group of Saudi Arabia and Al-Ghurair group of U.A.E since 1997. Mr. Javed Islam Agha agreed to share his views on global & domestic rice sector by sparing his valuable time. Rice plus: How do you feel by taking additional responsibilities of being chairman REAP?
Mr. Javed Agha: REAP is brainchild of a few friends including myself. We always own it and feel pleasure for its working & improvement along with other professional responsibilities. It is very challenging time & this position requires lot of attention to lead, manage and monitoring. Being a Chairman, it is more important for me to enhance the growth of Pakistani rice export through the platform of REAP. We are rigorously and consistently working for better marketing and achieving standardization of rice quality being exported from Pakistan. Rice plus: How you will justify the role of QRC in the changing scenario of Basmati trade globally?(Especially, in the case when, India has changed the definition of Basmati Rice to facilitate the export of C1121 variety, which has non-basmati parents). Mr. Javed Agha: Inspite of all opposition from vested interests, the self- disciplinary mechanism of QRC has proved very effectively for the promotion and recognition of Pakistan's Basmati Rice which is photo period sensitive and aromatic. The new Indian varieties including Pusa 1121 are neither photo period sensitive nor aromatic. The presence of QRC is very essential to check adulteration and certify the authenticity of Basmati Rice of Pakistan which is unique in the world. We must pay attention for the development of new rice technologies, modern production facilities and improved quality of rice to compete the Indians who are making fast developments in this area. Rice plus: The trade between India & Pakistan is going to be liberalized now. Do you think that it will affect Pakistan's rice industry? How can we overcome upcoming challenges?
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