ISLAMABAD: The government has fixed a target of agricultural credit for 2016-17 at Rs 680 billion in the 11th Five Year Plan.
Keeping in view the enthusiasm of the banks, push by the State Bank of Pakistan and support by the Government, it is expected that this target would be achieved, official sources told APP.
The investments are being made for water resources development to ensure the needed additional water supply.Public sector was investing on conservation and efficiency improvement of water use, source added.
The government is committed to provide ample finances for agriculture operations.The PSDP allocation for water sector was Rs 31 billion for 2106-17 besides the investments of the provinces.
About 134.56 MAF water was expected to be available for agriculture purpose in this year.Current decline in diesel prices has reduced operational cost of farming.
However, as a long term strategy, investments are being made in sources of alternative energy (solar) and high efficiency irrigation systems in the provinces to economize the water use in agriculture of the country.
The source said that the agricultural mechanization is facing multiple challenges related to farm machinery and equipment, infrastructure, technology, markets, operations, legislation, financing, policy framework.
Moreover, land holdings, cropping patterns, market price of crops, and availability of labor and cost of labor are the major factors deciding the agricultural mechanization.
These challenges pose a serious impediment to the growth of the industry.
Reduction in import duty to 9 per cent is expected to improve high quality equipment availability in the market.
Consultation to rectify the technology issues with tractor manufactures will settle and as a result better quality equipment would become available.
Less domestic production of farm machinery or implements in last year will affect the mechanization momentum, however.
The high-end food markets are very stringent with regard to quality and safety of the food items.
To improve the regulation a system was being established by the name of National Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (NAPHIS).
The NAPHIS Bill was under consideration of the Parliament for enactment.
Hopefully it would be done in 2016-17 to positively affect the food exports in coming days.
Pakistan's geographic position provides a scope for considerable opportunities to boost livestock especially in the case of Halal food.
The potential to enhance the quality of livestock, poultry, fisheries and sea foods production and trade will be exploited by developing veterinary infrastructure, improvements in gene pool, standardization of feed, development of skill of manpower, effective enforcement of legislation, adoption of global best practices, compliance to international standards, advancement towards value addition and provision of standardized and efficient veterinary services.
Livestock production targets for the fiscal year 2016-17
The sources said that the focal point for food and agriculture at federal level was the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and for this the allocation in the PSDP 2016-17 was made at Rs 1,520 million.
Highlighting, the important schemes of the Ministry, they said that these were:
Promotion of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan
Establishment of Horticulture Research Institute, Khuzdar Balochistan
Establishment of Livestock Research Institute, Turbat, Balochistan
Indigenization of Hybrid Seed Production for Enhanced Crop Production
Monitoring of Crops through Satellite Technology Phase-II
Pak China Cooperation for Agricultural Research and Development (PCCARD)
Research for Agriculture Development Programme (Islamabad)
Strengthening of Coastal Agriculture Research Station Bhawani Balochistan
Up-gradation & Establishment of Animal Quarantine Stations in Pakistan
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Cow Disease) Surveillance and Capacity Leading to O/E Negligible Risk Country Status for Pakistan
Strengthening / Up-gradation of Agriculture and Livestock Research System of Arid Zone Research Institute, Umerkot, Sindh
Agricultural Information Portal
Commercialisation of soybean crop
Milk and meat supply chain improvement and risk based control of foot and mouth disease.
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