PM directs ministry to develop framework for agriculture sector

KARACHI: Taking note of various issues that are keeping the agriculture sector under constant and growing pressure, the prime minister has directed to immediately begin a consultative process to develop an integrated framework for the agriculture sector, a statement said on Friday.

In a letter issued by the PM desired that Ministry of National Food Security and Reserach (MNFSR) to start consulting provincial governments and other important stakeholders, so that required funds could be allocated in the upcoming budget 2016-17.

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee Former Chairman Ahmad Jawad hailed the decision and said timely intervention by the PM would strengthen the agriculture sector.

The intervention was very much required in the circumstances where agriculture continuously did not achieve the required GDP growth.

This also resulted in the downfall of the exports; he said.

“We hope the desired outcomes will strengthen the integral system of our agriculture sector if we move towards a real transformation in the stipulated time frame,” he said. The letter requires the MNFSR to diversify the agriculture sector by promoting new crops and modern techniques. It needs to revitalise agriculture research institutions and re-establish a national agriculture research system by synergizing federal and provincial research institutions, the letter ordered.

Re-orientation of agriculture research for development of better crop varieties in terms of yield and disease/pest resistance has also been stipulated in the letter. Further, a new system of research funding with focus on research output rather than buildings and unnecessary employment must be formulated.

Measures for mitigating the impact of climate change on the sector have to be undertaken by the MNFSR.

The ministry needs to devise a long term ground water policy to ensure availability as well as efficient utilisation of this scare resource. 

MNFSR has also been advised to work out a comprehensive framework for seed certification, fertiliser availability and affordable cost and regulation of the pesticide business.