Department of Plant Protection Faces Critical Staff Shortage

The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research is currently grappling with a severe shortage of technical staff, which is putting the inspection and certification of Pakistani food exports at risk. With only 16 regular employees responsible for managing phytosanitary issues at 34 terminals and ports, the likelihood of pest interceptions and export bans is on the rise.

Previously, the DPP had a workforce of 186 employees, but now it is operating with a significantly reduced staff, including non-technical personnel and individuals with questionable backgrounds. This situation has raised concerns about the department's capacity to conduct consignment inspections and issue phytosanitary certificates effectively.

Recent developments have shown that the Ministry's intervention and the hiring of non-technical staff have had a negative impact on the DPP's performance. The termination of over 186 entomologists who were initially recruited under the Anti-Locust Program in 2020 has further worsened the shortage of technical staff within the DPP.

Since 2005, the DPP has been facing a critical shortage of technical personnel, with politically appointed individuals lacking the necessary qualifications and experience in sanitary and phytosanitary measures. This has led to unqualified individuals occupying key quarantine positions, resulting in issues such as import bans on Pakistani rice by several countries.

Despite attempts to address the shortage by creating temporary positions for entomologists and approving projects to enhance technical capabilities, the DPP continues to struggle with insufficient technical officer strength compared to neighboring countries in the region.

The closure of projects due to poor performance and delays in extending contracts for technical officers have further strained the DPP's operations. The recent appointment of external personnel to train existing staff and the hiring of a new Director General on a contractual basis have not completely resolved the fundamental issues affecting the department.

The current staffing challenges faced by the Department of Plant Protection pose a significant threat to the inspection and certification of Pakistani food exports. Urgent strategic interventions are needed to address the critical shortage of technical personnel and ensure the smooth functioning of the department to safeguard the country's agricultural exports.