ISLAMABAD  -  Rice exporters said they desired a better working environment for the rice farmers and other workers, engaged in rice value chain to boost exports of the commodity to improve their livelihoods, and to better equip them to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The farmers are at the forefront of food security in the country and due to them, our exports and foreign exchange reserves are increasing, Rice Partners Ltd (RPL) Chief Operating Officer, Muhammad Ali Tariq said here on Sunday. While addressing a seminar on decent working for multi stakeholders, organised by the leading Basmati rice exporter of Pakistan, Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) in collaboration with Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity, organised an event on interactive dialogue among stakeholders to share knowledge on decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan. Ali Tariq said that RPL has been working for welfare of agriculture labour for the past 5 years. RPL established community mother centres at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters. He added that free medical camps were also organised to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice-transplanting season. These all activities are being done to ensure decent working conditions in the rice value chain. Replying to a question, he said that they have launched a corona awareness campaign for rice farmers and distributed various items including personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from the epidemic. The CEO said rice growers are the world’s first food security defence line, whose epidemic protection should be our top priority. Rice farmers are an integral part of the agro-industry and are an essential element of this food chain, he said.

 He said that Pakistan’s rice production of around $03billion in foreign exchange is due to the farmers, whose services are unforgettable. While addressing the seminar Sustainability Head RPL, Zafar Iqbal said RPL has trained thousands of farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50 per cent cost sharing basis. Seminar was also addressed by a number of representatives of government and non-government organisations including Agriculture department, Education department, Health department, Labour department, Matco foods, Agahee, Rural Community and Development Society (RCDS) and others.