Timely incentives for wheat production urged

PBF vice president urges govt to invest in research and development in seed production

LAHORE:

Pakistan Businesses Forum (PBF) Vice President Ahmad Jawad has said that meaningful interventions at the macro and micro level by the state have become indispensable to revitalise the agriculture sector, upgrade the system and increase the yield.

He stressed the need for timely disbursement of DAP subsidy and quality seeds to wheat production and avoid the import of the essential commodity.

He said farmers could help Pakistan achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production and build strategic food reserves with friendly policies to ensure a reasonable profit on their produce.

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"We need to continue to invest in research and development in seed production,” the business leader said, adding that improved seed varieties and technologies were a must to boost the agriculture sector.

Jawad said efforts must be made to make the seeds, fertilisers and other inputs more accessible and affordable for the farmers. He said the federal government had been striving to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production and record production of 27.5 million tonnes was recorded last year. Despite that, the federal government had decided to import wheat to build strategic reserves.

"If the government encourages local farmers to increase the wheat cultivation area through the timely announcement of support price and affordable availability of inputs, such as DAP and high-quality seeds, the country would be able to produce wheat for annual consumption and reserves".

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2021.