Need stressed for private sector bodies' cooperation with farmers

Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, has said that business organisations associated with agriculture sector, besides promoting their products, should also extend practical co-operation for increasing agriculture production and achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture sector.
He said that prices of fertiliser, seed and agri equipment have increased due to imposition of sales tax on agriculture products which would have negative impact on agriculture production. Punjab government fully supports the demand of farmers for immediate withdrawal of sales tax on agriculture products for promotion of agriculture.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar on 'Cultivation of Cotton', arranged by a private group dealing in agricultural sector here Saturday. The Managing Director of the Group, Dr Rafique Pitafi, also addressed the seminar.
Khosa said that Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would make planning for promotion of agriculture on scientific lines for getting place in international market. He said that Punjab government would also enhance its co-ordination with international companies for promotion of latest technology in agriculture and enhancing production of cotton.
He said that it was a good omen that scientists of Pakistan have made a marvellous achievement by introducing Bt cotton seed, and Federal Ministry of Agriculture has also given approval to its cultivation.
He said that the government would welcome use of foreign technology in agriculture sector, and negotiations with various international organisations were also going on in this regard. In addition, the government would also provide payback guarantee. and would also make legislation in this regard so that research and high quality seed could be improved with the collaboration of international organisations by formally approving the process of provision of technology with regard to cotton.
Dr Rafique Pitafi said that agriculture production cannot be increased without creating awareness of modern technology among farmers. He said that his organisation was also providing technical advisory services to armours. He said that farmers are informed about the use of fertiliser, pesticides and modern method of agriculture in training workshops which resulted in increasing the trend of using modern methods in agriculture by the farmers.