ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the construction and development of the agriculture sector are of great importance for Pakistan for which 277 billion agricultural emergency program has been launched.
According to details, a delegation of farmers from South Punjab called on the prime minister yesterday, during which PM Khan stressed the importance of solving the problems of the farmers and directed the Punjab Irrigation Department to stop the theft of water in the canals.
Stressing on the need to reduce the role of middlemen during the meeting, the prime minister directed the concerned authorities to give a fair price to the farmers for their produce and to enact relevant laws to deal with cartelization and avoid stockpiling. To ensure implementation, the prime minister was informed that water reserves are low. PM Imran Khan was told that a 28 percent depletion of water in the reservoirs could affect the Rabi crop.
The prime minister said that the shortage could be filled by stopping the theft of water in the canals. PM Khan was informed that Pakistan is rich in natural resources for agriculture but the priorities of previous governments were not right.
On the occasion, the prime minister said that the government has started an agricultural emergency program of Rs. 277 billion to utilize the full potential of the agricultural sector. The initiative is aimed at increasing the productivity of wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulses, and oilseed crops. Livestock and water sectors will also be developed.
Read more: ‘Have faced similar disappointments’: PM Imran backs national team
The prime minister said that in order to modernize the agriculture sector, benefits could be availed from various government programs through Kisan Card, including the provision of loans and subsidies on fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. Crop production increased due to government policies.
Due to government policies, the production of wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, potatoes, onions, and peanuts increased to record levels. Minister for National Food Security Fakhr Imam, Minister for Industry Khusro Bakhtiar, and Minister for Energy Hamad Azhar were also present during the meeting. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the government is committed to the development of the agricultural sector.
