September 2013, Volume 5 - Issue 88 Shahzad Malik: This is a very interesting story and shows how industry survives by taking various initiatives. We started facing tough competition with other countries due to duties imposed by European Union 1995. We were no more competitive in EU market and our export would down to great extent, if newly imposed duties continue, we found at that time. India was given more relaxation than Pakistan. We (Myself, Javed Agha Islam and Zahid Khawaja) set up REAP and mobilized exporters to join REAP to safeguard their interest. We did fight with Government for two years and finally Ishaq Dar helped us to get license for REAP. After the license, we were heard by EU and Dr. Majeed made lot of briefings to convince the policy makers of EU. Thanks God, that we got relaxation in duty. I have also taken a recent initiative of setting up Seed Association of Pakistan. I am hopeful that this will also promote Seed industry of Pakistan like REAP. Rice Plus Team: Are we left behind other countries in rice varieties? What Guard Rice is doing in this regard? Shahzad Malik: It is true that we are left far behind other countries in rice varieties. The dynamics of rice market have been changed now. We still love old conventional approach which was successful in yesterday, but today latest technology and innovation has provoked to adopt this way. I found my elders fighting for two social objectives. Markets are moving toward extra long grain of rice and our R&D Working for the rights and good of business people are unable to understand this trend. Hybrid rice is the future of rice market. Only hybrid rice can guarantee to this great community Working for the welfare of common people. I grew in alarming challenge of food security due to increasing food such kind of environment and I continued on such demand of the world. Our R&D stakeholders should work on the development of hybrid variety of rice. We must learn this patterns in my business life. from China how to excel in this field. Guard Rice has also introduced 5015 as extra long grain variety which is gradually being promoted. We do hope that Government of Pakistan will register these varieties to boost our rice export, which is now second largest export item after textile. We have also extended our R&D sector in the pipeline, and we will serve this nation and industry by developing more varieties in order to meet the growing challenges of rice industry. Rice Plus Team: How do you find Free Trade with India and its effects on rice industry of Pakistan? Shahzad Malik: Regarding Trade with India a level playing field is required as import duty in Pakistan is 10% whereas in India it is 70% on import of rice. How can Pakistan export rice to India under the circumstances when the import duty in India is so high. Rice Plus Team: What drives your passion to make such breakthrough developments? Shahzad Malik: I strongly believe that business has Hybrid rice is the future of rice market. Our R&D stakeholders should work on the dual meaning, not only to earn development of hybrid variety of rice. We must learn this from China how to excel profit but also to work for the in this field. welfare of community. I inherited this spirit from my elders. My family is very active in social welfare as we manage a large hospital for the poor community. We are also active in promoting and protecting interests of business community so that we may not left far behind in the race of development. Here lies business opportunity as well as area to serve the country. Secondly development plays a great role in the live hood of poor people. For example the income of Sindhi farmers doubled due to the high yield variety. We need such varieties to improve the live hood of agro community . Rice Plus Team: Which areas of R&D need to be addressed by research community of Pakistan? Shahzad Malik: In my view following issues must be resolved through national R&D sectors: Less water consuming varieties Development of high yield varieties Acre under rice cultivation needs to be increased than plant population Extra long grain varieties should be developed Local harvester for rice crop to be developed Rice Plus Team: Any advice for new investments in rice sector? Shahzad Malik: Sure, but not only in rice export as it reached to optimum level now. However investment in value addition and by products of rice is very much needed. New investments must be appreciated like Rice bran oil, Value added products , High tech tools and techniques in rice cultivation and Processing, Improving storage and Transportation of rice and Lab testing facilities in Pakistan. Rice Plus Team: What is your advice to young generation? Shahzad Malik: Honesty, integrity and hard work is a key of success for personal growth business development and progress of our nation. Short term and unfair means may produce temporary results but in fact takes you towards long term failure.
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