The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) successfully concluded its five-seminar series on “Management of Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and Aflatoxin in Rice” today at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The seminar addressed critical food safety challenges threatening Pakistan’s rice exports, particularly the rising number of EU interceptions due to pesticide residue violations and aflatoxin contamination.
Dr. Mubarik Ahmed, Consultant (Agro) at TDAP, explained that MRL violations primarily stem from off-label pesticide applications and failure to observe Pre-Harvest Intervals. He emphasized that farmers must strictly adhere to PHI ranging from 3 to 40 days for registered insecticides and avoid banned persistent pesticides like acetamiprid and chlorpyrifos, which accounted for 28 and 18 interceptions respectively in 2024. Dr. Ahmed stressed that only registered and labeled pesticides should be used, with proper dosage and application timing to ensure residues break down before harvest.
On aflatoxin management, Dr. Amer Rasul, Director General of Pest Warning & Quality Control of Pesticides, Lahore, outlined the conditions that promote contamination, including high humidity, warm temperatures between 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, and moisture content above 14 percent in stored grain. “Aflatoxin develops rapidly when rice is exposed to rain or high humidity, particularly in the critical 48-hour window post-harvest. Immediate drying to below 13.5 percent moisture and storage in properly ventilated facilities are non-negotiable requirements,” Dr. Rasul explained. He highlighted that Aspergillus fungi, responsible for aflatoxin production, thrive in poorly managed storage conditions and insect-infested grain, making post-harvest handling as critical as field management.
Representatives from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) advocated for technological interventions, particularly electronic sorting systems that can reduce aflatoxin levels by 40 to 80 percent by removing physically damaged and infected grains. They also emphasized the need for trained personnel to conduct standard sampling for aflatoxin and MRL analysis, and urged adoption of uniform sampling protocols across the supply chain. Rao Muhammad Ashfaque, Deputy Director of the Department of Plant Protection, addressed procedural requirements for compliance, including proper fumigation with phosphine or methyl bromide during storage and transportation to prevent insect infestation that can trigger aflatoxin development.
TDAP’s comprehensive strategy for addressing these challenges involves multiple tiers of engagement. Having completed seminars in Bahawalnagar, Multan, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Sialkot across Punjab’s rice belt, TDAP is now preparing to launch a similar series in Sindh province, targeting major rice-producing clusters where compliance issues also persist. This expansion will bring critical food safety knowledge to thousands more farmers and stakeholders in regions producing significant export volumes.
Beyond awareness campaigns, TDAP is coordinating with provincial agriculture departments, research institutes, and REAP to implement cluster farming initiatives that enable collective adoption of best practices and shared access to testing facilities. The authority is also facilitating capacity building through field-level interventions, including public awareness campaigns, rice advisories. Mr. Khokhar announced that TDAP is planning rice roadshows in the EU and Middle Eastern markets to promote Pakistani rice and communicate the industry’s commitment to quality improvement, helping rebuild buyer confidence that has been shaken by recent interceptions.
“Our goal is to create a sustainable compliance framework that protects Pakistan’s fourth-place global ranking in rice exports while ensuring farmers have the knowledge, tools, and support systems needed to meet international standards,” said Mr. Khokhar. The seminar series represents the first phase of TDAP’s long-term engagement strategy, which will include regular follow-up visits, and liaison with accredited laboratories to improve testing accessibility and reliability for exporters and farmers alike.
