Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on agriculture, directed that farmers should be facilitated more and a comprehensive roadmap should be prepared based on concrete interventions for agricultural development.
He stated that after the decade of the 1960s, the agriculture sector had remained neglected, adding that the government had prioritised farmers’ welfare and the development of agriculture on modern lines.
The premier emphasised that the NCC on agriculture should be utilised to swiftly remove hindrances faced in development, constant monitoring and timely stakeholders’ consultation for effective decision-making.
He highlighted that agricultural development was the priority of the government and it would ensure all facilitation in this regard.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was presented about Pakistan’s agricultural development, rehabilitation of livestock and a comprehensive short, medium and long-term plan for the welfare of farmers that was prepared after consultation with all the relevant stakeholders.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Jamshed Cheema apprised the meeting of the record production of wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane and potato over the last two years.
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He stated that the confidence of local farmers had been boosted due to the government’s farmer-friendly policies and fair prices for the produce.
Cheema said that it was due to the government’s subsidy and support prices that disparities among farmers had narrowed.
He presented a comparative analysis of Pakistan’s agri model with international best practices and future plans wherein livestock rehabilitation, production of quality vegetables and fruits were focused upon.
Provincial chief secretaries apprised the meeting of budget outlays for agricultural development projects in their respective provinces, Kissan Card, research, nursery development, food processing and progress on utilising information technology in the agriculture sector.
The meeting participants were also briefed about this year’s encouraging wheat production in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2021.
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