ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said agriculture was the backbone of country's economy and the government was taking steps to provide support to this important sector.
Chairing a meeting regarding procurement of basmati rice here at the PM House, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the falling price of the product due to international factors.
He directed the Ministries of Finance and Food Security to submit a proposal for providing support to the grower by providing suitable subsidy.
He asked the Ministry of Food Security to consult provincial governments and develop a system so that direct benefit of the subsidy goes to the grower and not the middleman.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministries to come up with a plan within six weeks through which cost of agricultural inputs can be brought down to make the grower comfortable in the local market and competitive in the international market.
He also directed submission of a proposal regarding provision of solar panels on soft loans for installation of tube-wells for the agriculture sector.
Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Special Assistant to the PM Dr. Musadik Malik; Secretary National Food Security and Secretary Commerce attended the meeting along with senior government officials.
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