Pakistan's Agri-committee to set crop targets in mid-April

Bank representatives will discuss credit flow during sowing season

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) is set to meet on April 17 to review the production of Rabi crops and set targets for the Kharif 2020 season, revealed Deputy Food Security Commissioner Dr Wasimul Hassan.

Talking to APP on Thursday, he shared that the purpose of the meeting was to meet domestic food requirements and achieve export targets.

During the meeting, provincial ministers and other prominent stakeholders will apprise participants of the arrangements made to ensure smooth availability of all agricultural inputs including water, certified seeds and fertiliser.

“Representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited and private-sector banks will brief the committee on credit allocation and disbursement during the sowing season,” Hassan revealed. “On the other hand, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) will discuss water situation for irrigation purposes.”

He added that officials of the Pakistan Meteorological Department would present weather forecast and propose measures to reap maximum benefit by sowing crops at an appropriate time. In addition to that, the Seed Certification and Registration Department will provide data of seed stock during the period.

The FCA will set the cotton sowing target as the government is determined to produce 15 million bales to meet domestic requirements as well as make exports.

“To achieve the desired production target, the federal government is taking concrete steps in close coordination with provincial governments to enhance the cultivated area for raising output,” said Ministry of National Food Security and Research Cotton Commissioner Dr Khalid Abdullah.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2019.

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