Govt will provide all facilities to farmers in agriculture, says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that introduction of latest technology and provision of all possible facilities to the farmers’ community were among the government’s top priorities as the agriculture sector was the backbone of the country’s economy.

The prime minister was talking to Asian Development Bank Chief for Rural Development and Food Security Dr Akmal Siddiq who called on him.

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PM Khan said the provision of all possible facilities to farmer community is government’s top priority as agriculture sector was the backbone of the country’s economy.

During the meeting Minister for National Food Security Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and Minister for Planning Asad Umar were present, besides Jahangir Tareen, PM office media wing said in a press release.

He said the government was also focusing on fisheries and farming sectors, besides increasing production of wheat, rice and other major crops through introduction of modern modes and technologies.

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The government is also keen to take advantage from the Chinese experience in the agriculture sector, he added.

PM also appreciated the support and technical assistance by the Asian Development Bank and welcomed the introduction of information technology.

He said that special focus should be made on research and development, provision and supply of latest seeds, chemicals.

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Kamal said the ADB had approved a grant of $1 million for the promotion of information and technology in this sector and the project would commence from next year.

Besides, the bank also plans to introduce corporate agriculture on wider scale for the promotion of agriculture sector in Balochistan province especially in the Kacchi canal area, he added.

The ADB team was also apprised regarding the approval of New Renewable Energy Policy which will be placed before Council of Common Interest in its scheduled meeting by the end of this month.

The team was also briefed regarding various steps taken by the Power Division to boost system efficiency and campaign against power theft.

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The team was also notified on the circular debt capping plan which is being perused and implemented by the Power Division resulting in considerable reduction in its growth from Rs39bn a month to Rs12bn per month.

The ADB also showed interest in facilitating technical studies for the gas storage facility in Pakistan and said it would consider financing the project as well, Werner Liepach added.