ISLAMABAD – Government has designed Prime Minister Agriculture EmergencyProgram with allocation of 309 billion rupee to uplift agriculture andlivestock sectors on modern lines.
The program is envisaged to boost local agricultural production, reducedependence on imports and improve lives of poor farmers.
The initiative will lead the country towards sustainable development byexploring new agricultural markets, introducing new ways for soil and waterconservation and promoting the aqua-culture farming in potential areas ofthe country.
The emergency program to be formally commenced by next month willrevolutionize the output of major cash crops.
The initiative will also help in promoting the cultivation of minor cropslike oil seed, pulses and high value fruit, vegetables and development oflivestock sector.
The Central Development Working Party has approved 13 mega developmentprojects conceived under emergency program, whereas the Executive Committeeof National Economic Council is likely to accord final approval in its nextmeeting.
The Focal Person of Prime Minister Emergency Program Muhammad Ali Talpursaid that out of the total 309 billion rupees’ package, the federalgovernment would provide 84 billion rupee while 225 billion rupees will beshared by the provincial governments.
He said special measures, will be introduced for energy, water conservationand pest management to reduce the cost of production.
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Focal person said 220 billion rupees will be spent on the construction ofsmall dams and development of water courses.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of Federal Ministry of National Food Security andResearch Dr Javed Hammayun said that the government is also negotiatingwith China for its cooperation in development of agricultural and livestocksectors by sharing expertise and knowledge.
He said that a Joint Working Group of both the countries is formed underChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor which would meet in October this year andfinalize the areas of cooperation.
Dr Javed Hammayun said that in the JWG meeting, both the countries wouldfinalize the cooperation in the areas of remote sensing technology, pre andpost harvest handling and storage of agriculture commodities.
He said that Pakistan was also seeking Chinese expertise for fisheries andaquaculture development in order to exploit the huge fish farming potentialin the country.
