Current revenue expenditure of agriculture increased by 34pc to Rs10.36bn
KARACHI: Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah presenting the provincial budget here Thursday said that agriculture plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy. It contributes 24 percent to the GDP. Sindh province’s contribution in national production is 36 percent in rice, 29 percent in sugarcane, 34 percent in cotton and 15 percent in wheat.
In Sindh Wheat, Cotton, Rice and Sugarcane are the major field crops, which constitute 68 percent of the total cropped area, while Mango, Banana and Chilies are the major horticultural crops. Sindh produces 36 percent Rice, 29 percent Sugarcane, 34 percent Cotton, and 15 percent of Wheat of total production in the country.
World Bank through two development projects has provided financial assistance to the growers for increasing agricultural productivity in Sindh. Sindh Agriculture Growth project is for improving the productivity, market access in important commodity value chains in agriculture (Onion, Chilies, Dates & Rice). Whereas another project is for improvement of water courses, mitigation of flood risks, introducing high efficiency irrigation system and improved agricultural practices.
Additional Lining of already improved Water Courses in Sindh for Rs.2540.838 million which includes Rs.1629.786 million Sindh government share and Farmer’s Share is Rs.911.052. The Current Revenue Expenditure of Agriculture has been increased by 34 percent to Rs.10.36 billion in next financial year as against Rs.7.7 billion in CFY.
The ADP for Agriculture (excluding new schemes) under next financial year is pitched at Rs.5 billion, besides provincial ADP, Rs.5.94 billion have been allocated for foreign funded projects. Sindh irrigated agriculture productivity enhancement program has an allocation of Rs.1.08 billion under on-going schemes.
Preservation & storage facility of fruits and vegetables through hot water treatment & controlled atmosphere store on subsidy to farmers is kept at Rs.508.8 million.
Provision of solar water pumps/tube wells on subsidized rates to farmers in Sindh will be continued under on-going with Rs.113 million.
During next financial year 2018-19 subsidy assistance of Rs.9.650 billion to the farmers will be provided for tractors, agricultural implements, Solar Pumps and Tube wells etc. Further research will continue to develop new varieties, for production of Hybrid Seed for different Crops.
Research in agriculture has shown good results and new varieties of corps have been developed with remarkable increase in the yield. For example, after research of many years, cotton production has increased by 21 percent; Rice, 45 percent; Sugarcane etc.
For producing healthy and productive livestock and enhancing safety of animals and their by-products, certain development schemes worth Rs.1.7 billion were initiated during 2017-18, for example establishment of Bio-safety Lab & Quality Enhancement Cell of highly pathogenic Virus Vaccine Development, establishment of Laboratory & sheds for genetically improved Animals. Provision of Disease Diagnostic facilities at door step to livestock farmers through Stationery Mobile Laboratory chain in 3 districts normally Thatta, Badin and Mirpurkhas etc.
Beside this, Foreign Aided Projects of Sindh Agriculture Growth Project (Livestock Component) – World Bank, Accelerated Action Plan and JICA have also contributed for betterment by livestock farmers and poor fishermen of the province.
Livestock & Fisheries Department has allocated Rs.3358.878 million in next year’s ADP 2018-19 for major priority areas such as increase in Milk and Meat production, Expansion of Livestock and Poultry Vaccination program and health cover, Establishment and upgradation of Veterinary Centers and Artificial Insemination Centers, Establishment of private Fish Farms for increasing export of Fish and Fish products, Research in feed, seed and breed improvement, Increase in Livestock and Poultry vaccination production, Establishment of Marine and Fresh water fisheries research Centre, Corporate Farming in Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries.
Murad Shah said that a massive Roadside and Amenity planting scheme for the year 2018-19 and onwards to make roads and cities green with trees and flowering plants in order to reduce the climate change effects. The scheme is aimed at raising and maintenance of about 6,000km on Road and Canal side plantations along with creating green belts in and around Cities and Towns to improve environment.
Tree Plantation will be the major feature of the department in next financial year. We plan to plant riverine forest on 10,000 acres, irrigated land on 120 acres, mangroves on 3000 acres, trees on 300Km long road, raise 20 million container plants, and establish nurseries on 30 acres.