LAHORE, June 9 (APP): Federal Minister for National Food
Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan on Thursday stressed
the need to promote cooperation between the government, farming community and industry to combat the challenges faced by agriculture sector.
He was addressing a seminar on self reliance in food security
organized by Ali Akbar Group in a local hotel. Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed, Vice Chancellor University of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Chief Editor Khabrain Group of Newspapers Zia Shahid and representatives from agri related industry and farmers were present on the occasion.
The Federal Minister said the government was fully committed
to bring revolutionary changes in the agriculture sector with the aim to bring prosperity in the life of farmers and country as well through ensuring food security.
He asked the agri related industry, media and the farming
community to join hands with the government for the development of agriculture sector. He expressed the hope that industry and farming community would play their due role in the development of the country.
He emphasised on decreasing production cost of crops to
compete in the international market and increase agri exports. He said that main reason of decline in the agri exports was high rate of production in Pakistan due to that Pakistani crops like wheat and sugar could not compete in the international market.
He said the government provided sufficient relief to the
farming community in the Federal Budget 2016 17.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said the Punjab government was fully committed to provide relief to the farming
community. He said the Punjab Chief Minister announced a historic Kissan Package for the farming community which gave relief to the growers of various crops.
He said that in the coming budget 2016 17, the Punjab government
would introduce a number of incentives for the betterment of farmers. He said that joint efforts by the government, farmers and industry were needed to overcome the challenges of free market economy, cold chain supply management and high rates of agri inputs.
