Pakistan agriculture exports decline in 2016
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ISLAMABAD: (APP) Minister for National Food Security and Research Hayat Khan Bosan Monday informed the National Assembly that the government had imposed 60 per cent duty on the import of wheat to benefit the local farmers.
Answering a question, he said that Council of Common Interests (CCI) had suggested 60 per cent duty on the import of the wheat to help the local wheat growers.
He said the government had also announced a number of steps to encourage domestic farmers and to decrease cost of production.
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Responding a question, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said export of the agricultural commodities declined by 13.7% during 2015-16 as compared to 2014-15, the total proceeds from the agricultural commodities remained above $ 4 billion.
The main reason for decline in exports of commodities was the global commodity crisis, he said.
The price of cotton in the global market, he said, declined by 10% from 70 cents/ib in 2014-15 to 63.5 cents/lb in 2015-16.
The minister said similarly there had been a significant decline in international prices of other agricultural commodities such as rice and wheat.
He said the government had taken a number of steps for the export of seafood products.
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada, replying to a question, said Pakistan Sports Board organized various tournaments to create harmony among the provinces.
He said the sports developed harmony, disciplines, tolerance and fraternity among youth.
He said PSB had arranged Inter-Provincial Youth Under-16 Girls and Under-17 Boys Tournaments in different disciplines.
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National Training Camp in various disciplines had also been organized throughout the country in which athletes from all provinces participate, he said.
He said the Board had also arranged Refreshing Sports Coaching Courses throughout the country.
He said Youth Summer Training Camps were organized in 4-PSB Coaching Centres at provincial capitals and Islamabad during summer vacation.
The Board also arranged Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Provincial Games in which all provinces and regions took part, he added.
