Minister Agriculture Punjab, Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has said that provincial government is actively pursuing the sustainable and consistent growth of agriculture sector, and a number of measures have been taken in this regard. The minister was addressing the International Agriculture, Livestock, Industry and Food (ALIF) conference held under the aegis of Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) in connection with World Food Day.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan was the guest of honour at the inaugural session of this conference. Vice-Chairman FAP Hussain Jahanian Gardezi and President Tariq Bucha were also present on the occasion. Malik Ahmad Ali said that in order to improve the overall situation of agriculture sector, ample funds have been provided to the research-related institutions.
He said during the last three years production of important crops like wheat and rice has substantially increased; wheat production has reached to 19 million tons, moreover, 0.9 million ton wheat has also been exported. He further said that Punjab Seed Council and Punjab Agriculture Research Board are engaged in the demand-driven research to increase production and protection of crops, and in order to increase the pace of agricultural research, Punjab Agriculture Research Board has been provided Rs 1 billion.
Ahmad Ali Aulakh further said the under Green Tractor Schemes, 200,000 tractors have been provided to the farmers on subsidised rates. Minister Agriculture said provision of agricultural inputs is the responsibility of the federal government and due to federal government's apathy, the price of Urea fertiliser has reached to Rs 2000 per bag. He further said Ministry of Industries should take notice of rise in Urea prices and effective measures should be taken to control it.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said that agriculture is backbone of national economy and our agriculture has a prominent place in the world. 'Pakistan is third in rice, livestock, dates and citrus production while at 5th place in cotton and milk production.' He said we also have best canal system in the world. He said that the Punjab government has allocated ample budget for agriculture, livestock, industry and food sector so as people related to these sectors can take advantage of it and increase yield/production by using latest and scientific techniques.
Earlier, Minister Agriculture and Speaker Punjab Assembly inaugurated the FAP-ALIF Expo and visited various stalls set up by the agro-based companies. Speaking on this occasion, they observed that such events are the need of hour, which can play a vital role in the growth of agriculture sector. Technical session was addressed among others by the DHL Fertilisers CEO Rasheed Lone, Monsanto Pakistan Country Lead Aamir Mahmood Mirza and representative of Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) Saad Akbar.
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