PESHAWAR, Jun 16 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for National Food Security and Research, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema here on Wednesday said the government has introduced record new projects in the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2021-22 to increase agriculture production and achieve autarky in food services.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan was giving special attention to development of agriculture sector, progress and prosperity of farmers and livestock growers.
Addressing a press conference flanked with agriculture and Livestock Minister Mohibullah Khan, he said Pakistan was basically an agriculture country and this key sector played key role in development and economic growth of the country.
But unfortunately, he said, this important sector was completely overlooked in the previous regimes.
However, when the incumbent government had accorded top priority to agriculture sector and has launched National Emergency Agriculture Programme worth billions of rupees to increase agriculture productivity, achieve autarky in food besides improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers and livestock growers.
The PM aide said agriculture was a backbone of economy and Pakistan could achieve new heights of progress and development by promoting this sector.
He said problem of malnutrition and stunted growth in children could be countered through better agriculture productivity which would increase supply and reduce prices of food item in market.
Cheema said the government was facing challenge of food security amid rapid increase in population, adding, mega projects announced for the next fiscal year to increase agriculture production and income of farmers.
It would ensure provision of food items to consumers at affordable rates and
nurture agriculture based industry in the country, he added.
The federal government has allocated a huge amount of Rs12 billion for development of agriculture including rupees one billion for locust control emergency project and rupees two billion for enhancing production of wheat, rice, sugarcane and pulses.
Rupees one billion was earmarked for olive cultivation on commercial basis while rupees three billion for repair and construction of watercourses, he added.
Work on the Prime Minister Agriculture Emergency Program was sucessfully underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa focusing on strengthening of infrastructure, increasing agricultural productivity, meat and milk production besides Agriculture Transformation Program, the SAPM said.
Preference was being made to increase local agriculture production instead of importing small foods and agriculture related goods.
He appreciated the projects initiated by Khaber Pakhtunkhwa agriculture and livestock department and termed it praised worthy.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mohibullah Khan said upcoming KP budget would be pro-farmers with maximum facilities for them.
He said Kisan Cards would be issued to farmers by August this year under which assistance would be provided to farmers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He also addressed Members National Assembly and Members Provincial Assemblies elected from merged areas and assured full support for resolutions of their problems.