Rural areas: Livestock key to achieving socio-economic stability
Committee formed to bring down crop production cost
LAHORE:
The role of livestock is important for socio-economic stability of rural areas, said Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan.
Speaking at the sixth annual conference organised by the Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) and Pakistan Agriculture Scientists Forum (PAS) at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), the minister said the livestock sector played a significant role in rural food security and poverty elimination.
“With collective efforts of all stakeholders, the role of livestock will further increase in the future,” he said, adding the government was always supportive of strengthening the sector. Talking to the media, the minister said the government had decided to give a direct subsidy of Rs5,000 per acre to rice growers. A committee has also been constituted on the directive of the prime minister to discuss how to reduce the cost of production of different commodities.
“The wheat target will be achieved this year and we have sufficient wheat in stock as well,” he said in reply to a question. Bosan declared that the government would focus on the issues highlighted in the conference for bringing improvement in the livestock sector. After the 18th Amendment, the responsibilities of provincial governments had also increased as powers had been transferred to them, he added.
He praised the organisers of the conference which would come up with solutions and help in bridging the gap to address the challenges faced by the livestock sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2014.
The role of livestock is important for socio-economic stability of rural areas, said Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan.
Speaking at the sixth annual conference organised by the Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) and Pakistan Agriculture Scientists Forum (PAS) at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), the minister said the livestock sector played a significant role in rural food security and poverty elimination.
“With collective efforts of all stakeholders, the role of livestock will further increase in the future,” he said, adding the government was always supportive of strengthening the sector. Talking to the media, the minister said the government had decided to give a direct subsidy of Rs5,000 per acre to rice growers. A committee has also been constituted on the directive of the prime minister to discuss how to reduce the cost of production of different commodities.
“The wheat target will be achieved this year and we have sufficient wheat in stock as well,” he said in reply to a question. Bosan declared that the government would focus on the issues highlighted in the conference for bringing improvement in the livestock sector. After the 18th Amendment, the responsibilities of provincial governments had also increased as powers had been transferred to them, he added.
He praised the organisers of the conference which would come up with solutions and help in bridging the gap to address the challenges faced by the livestock sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2014.