Collaboration with China, Belarus to double agricultural yields: Rana Tanveer Hussain

Food minister says gov't committed to improve research, seed quality through National Development Regulatory Authority

ISLAMABAD:

National Food Security and Research Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Thursday that the agriculture sector remains a top priority for the government. He discussed the opposition’s cut motions on the ministry’s grant demands, highlighting ongoing efforts to integrate research and modern technology into the sector to enhance per-acre yield.

Hussain informed that a National Development Regulatory Authority was established to improve productivity, with targeted subsidies for the Kharif crop currently being implemented. He underscored the government's commitment to ensuring prompt payment to sugarcane farmers.

The minister noted that food security is a pressing global challenge, and the government has focused significantly on agriculture, which he described as the backbone of the national economy. He mentioned initiatives such as Kharif crop subsidies overseen by a cabinet committee chaired by the finance minister aimed at ensuring transparency, as directed by the prime minister.

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Assuring farmers of fixed crop prices and timely payments for sugarcane, the minister highlighted improvements in agricultural output and ongoing technology transfers, including collaborations with China and Belarus. He further announced plans to send students to China to enhance agricultural practices and double per-acre yields.

The minister emphasised the importance of agricultural research, noting a federal allocation of Rs5 billion for research conducted across 26 universities and research centers.  He shared the introduction of subsidies for solar-powered tube wells by the federal and Punjab governments and efforts to cultivate more land, including making Cholistan land arable. 

Hussain mentioned providing billions in loans to farmers and ongoing schemes. He also mentioned new legislation aimed at reducing chemical usage while increasing production. He further said the National Development Regulatory Authority aims to improve seed quality for higher per-acre yields, including developing local tomato seed production.