Pakistan’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, with potatoes being one of the most important crops. Pakistan’s climate is varied and favorable for agriculture, allowing for the cultivation of many different crops. Potatoes are a complete food and generate more income per acre than other crops. It is grown throughout the country, from the coast to the mountains, with two crops in Punjab and one in the hilly regions. Potato is the most common food item all over the world and there is always a demand for it in the market.
Pakistani potatoes are in high demand in international markets like Dubai due to their beauty and color. However, Pakistani potato exporters still have to rely on word of mouth for their trade and need to improve their marketing strategies to increase online visibility. Adapting to modern marketing techniques can help Pakistan increase potato exports. There are more than 200 varieties of potatoes grown in the world, but only a few of them are grown in Pakistan. The development of new varieties can help meet different types of international demand.
Pakistan has the best soil and climatic conditions for potato cultivation and this is a potential gap that Pakistan can fill to increase potato exports around the world. However, the agricultural sector must embrace modern and improved farming methods. Literacy rates have long proven to be a major problem in Pakistan, delaying the country’s progress. Educated farmers can easily access the global market and sell their products at reasonable prices. Okara, Depalpur, Sahiwal, Pattoki, Pakpattan, Arifwala, Daska, Kasur and Chiniot are considered to be the leading cities in potato cultivation in Pakistan.
Wajid Hussain Shah