Mortality rate from lumpy skin disease 1-5%, NA body told

Committee gives directives for creating awareness of disease among farmers

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Food Security informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security that the mortality rate of lumpy skin disease in animals is between 1-5%.

A meeting of the standing committee was held under the chairmanship of Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan. Minister for Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam also attended the meeting.

The prevention of lumpy skin disease was discussed in the meeting, on which the minister for food security said that the issue is more severe in Sindh and daily meetings will be held to create awareness. The secretary food security said that lumpy skin is similar to chicken pox and a technical committee is working on it, and a vaccine is also in works. He said that they are in touch with all provinces, and the vaccine currently costs $1-3.

He pointed out that the mortality rate is 1-5%. The committee directed the concerned authorities to spread awareness among the farmers about this disease.

During the meeting, the chairman of the committee said that Millat Tractors has suspended its operations which will increase the problems for the farmers. A representative of the company said that their refund case was with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the government has to pay them Rs6 billion.

The committee directed for the issuance of their refunds as soon as possible. When the agenda of Sheikh Fayyazud Din was brought up in the meeting, he said that he was not feeling well, and asked for postponement of his agenda.

On this, the committee chair said that he should write down that he would not take TADA from the government to come to the meeting.

Fayyaz said that he would write it down, but pointed out that the committee does not work, it only holds meetings. After this, he left the meeting.

The Ministry of Food Security informed the standing committee that it has demanded Rs13 billion for the next financial year. Fakhar said that Pakistan is importing edible oil worth $3 to $5 billion, adding that currently Pakistan has potatoes and rice in surplus.

Fayyaz said that the government has also imposed 17% sales tax on cotton seeds. The food security minister said that they have restored cotton. Pakistan Tobacco Board Amendment Bill, 2021, was discussed in the meeting and the committee unanimously approved it. Pakistan Food Security Fluid Information Bill, 2021, was also considered in the meeting.

On this, Fakhar said that data flow information is weak, but they are trying to get accurate agricultural data, and the committee then approved the bill.

The committee chair directed the Ministry of Food Security to allow farmers to use drone technology.

Moreover, at the meeting, PASCO officials said that the Economic Coordinate Committee (ECC) has set a procurement target of 1.2 million tonnes of wheat.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2022.

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