Business

Corporate farming to attract Rs100 billion

President Kissan Ittehad says this can pave the way for food security

APP August 04, 2023

Ibrahim Shaikh, a farmer, winnows paddy in a field at Kadadhe village in the western state of Maharashtra, India, October 17, 2022. REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

President Kissan Ittehad Khalid Mehmood Khokhar highlighted the potential of corporate farming to attract a substantial Rs100 billion investment in the agriculture sector within three years. This investment is expected to play a crucial role in achieving self-sufficiency in staple food crop production and ensuring food safety and security in the country, he said.

In a press conference, Khokhar addressed and dismissed misconceptions surrounding corporate farming, refuting claims that it would negatively impact small farmers’ access to cultivable lands.

Under the corporate farming model, Khokhar explained that farmer clusters would be established to foster collaborative farming. This approach would leverage modern and innovative cultivation technologies, enabling farmers to enhance the output of both major and minor crops. Additionally, farmers would have the opportunity to acquire the latest tools, including tractors, combine harvesters, and land levellers.

Khokhar emphasised that future market practices would safeguard farmers’ rights, a principle already applied successfully on a global scale. Furthermore, farmers would receive proper seeds and other agricultural inputs to increase their farm income and combat poverty.

He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among national institutions to uplift the local agriculture sector and achieve food safety and security.

The president of Kissan Ittehad urged the government to promptly address minimum support prices for different crops, including cotton, to protect farmers from exploitation and ensure fair returns on their produce.

In addition, Khokhar appealed for immediate measures to support farming communities affected by recent torrential rains and flooding in certain districts of Punjab Province.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2023.

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