Dalda Foods is taking significant strides toward enhancing the agricultural landscape by championing local oilseed cultivation, a critical step in ensuring a more sustainable and self-reliant future for the industry.
A meeting was held in Lahore with Mr. Gohar Ijaz, Federal Minister for Commerce and Industries and Mr. S. M. Tanveer, Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce with Mr. M. Bashir Janmohammed, Chairman, Dalda Foods Limited, Board Members and Chief Executive Officer of Dalda Foods Limited.
Minister of Commerce Mr. Gohar Ijaz and Mr. S. M. Tanveer welcomed the Chairman and Board and appreciated the company’s performance especially it being a 100% documented company in Pakistan.
The Chairman Dalda Foods, Mr. Bashir Janmohammed thanked Mr. Gohar Ijaz and Mr. S. M. Tanveer for conducting the meeting with the Directors. The Chairman and Member of Board pointed out the difficulties faced in procuring local Edible Oil i.e. Rapeseed Oil and Cotton Seed Oil as most of the business conducted is undocumented, therefore, Dalda's share in the purchase of local oil is minimal.
The Minister assured the Board that he will look into it.
The Federal Minister of Commerce emphasized that Pakistan cannot afford around $ 5.00 billion for the import of Edible Oils in future. Hence, he requested Dalda Foods as the leader in Edible Oil Industry should take initiative in Oilseed cultivation.
Mr. Perwaiz Khan, Senior Director, Dalda Foods Limited stated that Dalda Foods already has a research center in Gharo where we have done research for maximizing yield per acre of oilseed cultivation and have also helped farmers in this connection.
It was agreed that the agriculture department of Punjab government and Dalda Foods research team will exchange their experience to increase the yield.
The Minister said they will facilitate getting land from Punjab Board of Revenue for Dalda Foods Limited for oilseed cultivation, Minister emphasized that a serious effort should be made by Dalda Foods to obtain land from government for oilseed cultivation.
The Minister asked the Chairman, Dalda Foods to form a committee to put the matter further for acquiring land sharing expertise to meet and negotiate with Agriculture Department and Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab who will identify the land and will assist in this matter.
A Committee was formed with Mr. Inam Bari, Director, Dalda Foods to discuss the matter with the Agriculture Ministry of Punjab and Senior Member Board of Revenue Punjab.
The board assured that they realize the importance of local cultivation and will do their utmost to work on this immediately.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need to further advance the agriculture science on boosting oilseed yield per acre; identifying suitable areas of land for potential corporate farming effort and providing incentives and facilities to attract local farmers towards oilseed cultivation.
