Task force in the offing to boost farm sector

Speaker Qaiser says PM seeks report on formulation of agricultural policy

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran has sought a comprehensive report from relevant authorities and departments to formulate agricultural policy, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser told the Special Committee on Agricultural Products on Wednesday.

Chairing the committee meeting here, the speaker said that a task force would be formed to improve the agriculture sector. He noted with satisfaction that the all the parties were united on improving the agricultural sector despite their political differences.

“It is unfortunate that despite being an agricultural country, we import grain. We have to take steps to improve our agriculture,” Qaiser said. “All parties are working for improvement in agriculture. They all want a scientific solution to the problems related to agriculture.”

During the meeting, the report of the Special Committee on Agricultural Commodities was tabled. Speaking on the occasion, National Food Security Minister Fakhar Imam said it was the responsibility of the provinces to identify cartelisation.

“The mafias bought wheat at Rs1,400 per maund and sold it at Rs1,800 per maund,” he told the committee. As a result, he continued, the price of flour had skyrocketed. “We are importing 3 million tonnes of wheat through private and public sectors to reduce the prices of wheat flour,” he added.

Similarly, the minister said that the price of sugar had soared to Rs100 per kilogramme. Told lower the price, he added 300,000 tonnes of sugar was being imported. He noted that mango exports were expected to be higher than last year. He also called evaluating better seeds to increase wheat and cotton production.