Seminar calls for participation of farmers in policy making

FAISALABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Monday called for participation of small farmers in the policy making to increase productivity and reduce poverty in the country.
The seminar on ‘Wheat Economy in Pakistan’ was arranged at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Dr Asif Saeed from University of Auckland, New Zealand was the guest speaker.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Iqrar id strengthened policies would help address the issues of the farming community especially the small farmers. He said since the last 15 years, Pakistan has become a self sufficient in producing major crops including wheat, saying that export of the country was standing at 17 per cent while the import is at 11 per cent. He said this year will witness one million ton more wheat yield.
He stressed the need to devise land use policies because fertilize land was being converted into the residential colonies. He said the canal system gave the life to the barren land, turning it to the fertilized land.
Dr Asif Saeed said the wheat economy needs the structural reforms. He said that stable input markets must be ensured for the food security in the county. He said the wheat comprised 36 per cent of cropped area in Pakistan. He said that small farmers were suffering and the strengthened policy was required to address their issues.