IFSP increases fund allocation

PESHAWAR:

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has increased the allocation of funds for Insaf Food Security Program (IFSP) from Rs190 million to Rs1.2 billion for the first year of the three-year project.

This was stated in a handout issued by the CM’s Secretariat on Wednesday.

“The amount will be used to procure certified wheat seeds and freely distribute them among farmers who hold around 12.5 acres of land across the province,” read the statement. “It will also be used to provide farmers a subsidy on fertilizers.” The handout added, “The project is part of the provincial government’s agenda to make K-P self-reliant in wheat production.”

Khattak also directed the agriculture department to assess the financial implications and benefits of this move. “This was done to ensure the proposed scheme is included in next year’s budget,” stated the document. “The three-year scheme will ensure the provision of free seeds to farmers who will sell half their produce to the provincial government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2015.