Climate Change Threatens Date Industry: Saeed Ghani Calls for Urgent Value Addition to Boost Exports

Climate Change Threatens Date Industry: Ghani Calls for Urgent Value Addition to Boost Exports

KARACHI: Climate change threatens date industry in Pakistan, Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani warned during the inauguration of the Second Pakistan International Dates Festival at the Expo Centre. He urged stakeholders to focus on value addition to expand the export base and protect farmers’ livelihoods.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), brought together local farmers, exporters, researchers, and dignitaries, including TDAP CEO Muhammad Faiz Ahmad and UAE Consul General Dr. Bakheet Al-Atiq.

Climate Change Threatens Date Industry: Ghani’s Warning

Speaking as the chief guest, Ghani highlighted the alarming consequences of climate change on Pakistan’s agriculture. He noted that extreme weather patterns, rising temperatures, and irregular rainfall were affecting the quality and quantity of date production.

He emphasized that climate change threatens date industry not only in Sindh but across Pakistan, where thousands of farmers depend on this crop for their livelihoods.

Dates Festival Showcases Pakistan’s Agricultural Potential

The Second Pakistan International Dates Festival is a significant initiative to promote Pakistan’s date industry globally. With stalls, exhibitions, and expert panels, the festival showcased over 200 varieties of dates grown in Sindh, Balochistan, and other regions.

According to TDAP officials, Pakistan ranks among the top ten date-producing countries in the world, yet its share in global exports remains limited due to lack of branding, value addition, and modern packaging.

FAO data on date production confirms that countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and UAE dominate global markets, leaving Pakistan behind despite its strong potential.

Sindh’s Role in Date Production

Sindh contributes significantly to the national date crop, with regions like Khairpur, Sukkur, and Shikarpur producing some of the finest quality dates. Ghani proudly noted that Sindh’s soil and climate make it ideal for cultivating premium varieties.

However, the increasing threat of climate change has disrupted traditional cultivation cycles. Farmers are reporting lower yields, pest attacks, and fruit spoilage due to prolonged heatwaves and untimely rains.

Climate Challenges Facing the Date Industry

The minister’s concerns reflect the growing climate crisis in agriculture. Some of the critical threats include:

• Heat Stress: Prolonged heatwaves damage fruit during the ripening stage.
• Unpredictable Rains: Untimely rainfall causes fruit drop and fungal diseases.
• Water Scarcity: Reduced river flows and poor irrigation management threaten plantations.
• Soil Degradation: Salinity and desertification affect cultivation areas.

Climate change threatens date industry by reducing productivity and increasing vulnerability of farmers who lack the resources to adapt quickly.

Value Addition: The Key to Export Growth

Ghani stressed the importance of value-added products such as date syrup, date paste, date sugar, and energy bars. These products fetch higher prices in international markets, especially in Gulf countries and Europe.

The Sindh government has already established research centres to explore innovative techniques in date processing and packaging. By investing in modern cold storage, dehydration plants, and branding, Pakistan can expand its export footprint.

Example: Iran and UAE have successfully increased exports through processing and branding strategies. Pakistan must follow this model to remain competitive.

For internal reference, you may explore our detailed feature on Pakistan’s agricultural export challenges.

International Support and Partnerships

Ghani expressed gratitude to the UAE government for supporting the festival, underscoring the importance of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and trade.

The participation of international researchers and investors is expected to bring knowledge exchange and open doors for joint ventures in date processing.

He emphasized that the global nature of climate change requires collective solutions, with regional partners like UAE and Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role.

The Way Forward for Pakistan’s Date Industry

To safeguard the industry from climate shocks, Pakistan must:

1. Strengthen Climate Research: Invest in agricultural universities and research stations.
2. Promote Value Addition: Encourage private sector investment in date processing.
3. Improve Irrigation Systems: Ensure efficient water management for plantations.
4. Train Farmers: Educate growers about climate-resilient practices.
5. Enhance Export Marketing: Build strong branding strategies for Pakistani dates.

By adopting these measures, Pakistan can protect farmers, increase exports, and contribute to climate resilience.

Conclusion

The message from Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani at the Dates Festival was clear: climate change threatens date industry, and urgent action is required to safeguard farmers and expand exports.

With international support, value addition, and climate-resilient strategies, Pakistan’s date industry can transform from a vulnerable sector into a powerful driver of foreign exchange earnings.

As Ghani emphasized, the time to act is now—before climate change undermines one of Pakistan’s most valuable agricultural treasures.