Alleged Smuggling of Tomatoes and Agricultural Produce from Iran, Afghanistan Causes Billions in Losses to Local Farmers
QUETTA: Farmers and growers in Balochistan have expressed serious concern over the alleged illegal entry of vegetables, fruits and particularly tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan, saying the influx is causing billions of rupees in losses to local farmers.
Speaking to the media, Chairman of the Qila Saifullah Growers Action Committee Abdullah Jan Mirzai, prominent grower Haji Matiullah Mirzai, Abdul Ghani Kakar and others said that every year, when locally grown crops, fruits and vegetables reach the market, the arrival of imported agricultural produce allegedly depresses local prices.
The growers questioned how dozens of tomato containers and trucks were reaching markets in Balochistan despite restrictions and heightened monitoring at important Pakistan-Iran and Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossings, particularly Chaman and Badini.
They alleged that tomatoes and other agricultural products from Afghanistan were reaching local markets through alleged collusion between elements involved in illegal trade and certain officials and law-enforcement personnel.
The growers asked, “If border crossings are restricted and surveillance is in place, under whose patronage is the large-scale alleged illegal transportation of tomatoes, grapes and other agricultural commodities continuing?”
They claimed that agricultural goods allegedly brought into the province illegally were reaching various markets in broad daylight, causing local crop prices to fall and threatening farmers’ investment, hard work and annual income.
The growers said farmers in Balochistan were already facing severe challenges due to water shortages, electricity problems, expensive fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and rising agricultural costs. They warned that illegal imports were further worsening their economic difficulties.
They demanded that the government and relevant institutions conduct a transparent investigation into the matter and determine through which routes and means dozens of tomato-laden trucks and containers were reaching Balochistan’s markets despite reported border restrictions.
They called for indiscriminate action against those found involved in alleged smuggling and against any government official found responsible for negligence or providing patronage.
The growers also urged the district administration, Customs, law-enforcement agencies and relevant departments to protect the economic interests of local farmers.
They said Balochistan’s farmers could not be left at the mercy of illegal imports and smuggling. They demanded tighter border monitoring, prevention of unnecessary and illegal agricultural imports during the local harvesting season, and effective policies to ensure farmers receive fair returns for their produce.
“If the borders are closed, where are dozens of tomato containers coming from and under whose supervision are they reaching Balochistan?” the growers asked, urging the government to provide an immediate answer and prevent further losses running into billions of rupees for local farmers.
