Oxfam, Matco Foods team up against rural poverty

KARACHI: Matco Foods, Pakistan’s largest Basmati rice exporter, Oxfam Pakistan, the international confederation of charitable organisations, and Doaba Foundation, a humanitarian group working in flood-prone areas of south Punjab, have joined hands to improve socioeconomic conditions of rice growers in Pakistan, a press statement said on Thursday. 

According to the release, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the representatives of three organisations in a ceremony held at the Matco Foods factory in Sadhoke.    “Matco and Oxfam aim to work with rice growers and workers in ten villages of Punjab as a pilot programme under the umbrella project titled: ‘Towards a gender transformative and sustainable Basmati rice value chain in Pakistan,” the statement said. 

“The project is focused on empowering as well as organising male/female rice growers/workers in Punjab, helping them achieve competitive rates for their sustainably produced rice, ensuring they earn a higher income, and lobbying for improved working conditions for the tillers.” 

Speaking on the occasion, Faizan Ghori, Director Matco Foods, said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Matco was delighted to partner with Oxfam to help improve the livelihood of farmers in the Basmati rice growing areas of Pakistan. “We believe this initiative has both a social and commercial impact,” Ghori said adding, greater productivity and sustainable production of rice would not only help farmers but also strengthen Matco’s supply chain. 

Voicing her views, Javeria Afzal, Oxfam’s Programme Director, noted that rice growers in Pakistan have limited opportunities for learning improved farming practices such as integrated pest management, alternatives to chemical fertilisers, and water management. 

“A lack of understanding of market dynamics means many growers are unable to get a fair price for their produce. The growers, the majority of whom is women working for low wages, are among some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in the rice industry,” Ms Afzal said. 

The statement further said that the goal of the collaboration was to fight poverty and improve food security by implementing a joint development project. “Under the rice value chain project in Muridke and Sheikhupura, Matco Foods will provide technical support on sustainable rice production practices and improve knowledge and agricultural practices at field level,” the statement added.