- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP):National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that farmers are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and that national food security, agricultural self-sufficiency and rural development are inconceivable without their tireless efforts and sacrifices.
He said that farmers work day and night to provide food for the nation and play a pivotal role in economic stability, exports and the promotion of rural employment.
Ayaz Sadiq expressed these views ahead of National Farmers’ Day, which is observed every year on 18 December.
The Speaker said that Pakistan is an agricultural country where the livelihoods of millions of families are directly linked with the agriculture sector.
He emphasized that it is the fundamental responsibility of the state to provide farmers with modern agricultural facilities, quality seeds, timely availability of fertilizers, equitable distribution of water and access to modern research, in order to enhance productivity, reduce input costs and improve farmers’ incomes.
Ayaz Sadiq said that climate change, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts and rising agricultural input costs have emerged as serious challenges for farmers.
He stressed that promotion of crop insurance mechanisms, farmer-friendly credit schemes, affordable energy and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies are imperative to address these challenges.
The Speaker said that Parliament is playing its due role in resolving farmers’ issues and ensuring sustainable development of the agriculture sector and rural prosperity through legislation, oversight and effective policy measures.
He reiterated the national commitment to continue all possible efforts for the protection of farmers’ rights, improved access to markets and strengthening of the agricultural value chain.
The Speaker said that farmers’ prosperity is, in fact, a guarantee of national prosperity, and that by further empowering farmers, Pakistan will continue on its path towards becoming a strong, self-reliant and prosperous state
Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message on National Farmers’ Day, said that farmers’ welfare, agricultural development and stability of the rural economy are indispensable for Pakistan’s overall progress.
He emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy, promotion of modern technology and implementation of farmer-friendly measures to address the challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed that Parliament will continue to play its role for the protection of farmers’ rights and strengthening of the agricultural sector.