Rice is the second largest consumed food after wheat. Pakistan produces 8.4 million tons of Rice. Pakistan is also the 11th largest producer and 4th largest exporter of rice and accounts for 3.5% of value added in agriculture and 0.7 % of GDP of Pakistan. Whereas, our province of Sindh, shares 40% in the national production of rice (i.e., 3 million tons).

Sindh produces the major varieties such i.e., Irri-6, Irri-9, D-98 while minor varieties include Super Basmati. Major Rice growing areas in Sindh are Larkana, Dadu, Shikarpur, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad and Kashmore districts in upper Sindh while Thatta, Badin and Tando Muhammad Khan are major areas in lower Sindh.

We have been able to make significant improvement in the rice cluster by developing Build Modernized and Replacement scheme for rice husking mills in Sindh. The scheme entails credit up to Rs.16.6 million at the rate of 2% as markup and credit guarantee up to 30% to financial institutions. These rice husking mills have improved operational efficiency in terms of broken percentage of rice, energy bills and profitability. Some of the rice mills have added Silky Polishers and Color Sorters enhancing their processing capability.

SEDF has successfully piloted a unique partnership model between progressive growers of rice paddy and one of the leading exporters of rice, M/s Garib Sons. It will have two-fold benefits creating synergies. Garib Sons will be able to achieve price efficiencies by transferring best practices for on- farm activities learnt from their international experience. Progressive grower will achieve enhanced yield by instilling best on-farm practices and will also partner with Garib Sons in setting up state of the art rice husking and processing mill, leading to additional profit for the grower in the value-added product.

SEDF plans to encourage investment in rice husk pellet unit for rice bran oil extraction units and rice commodity derivatives like rice starch syrup and rice pasta.