'Fair marketing system vital for sustainable agriculture development'

Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday said that transparent and fair marketing system based on justices, of the agricultural goods and livestock was essential for the sustainable agricultural development and making it profitable sector. They addressed a seminar on marketing of the goats arranged by US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that today, farmers were facing a lot of problems including substandard seed and low profit margin. He said that it was a matter of concern that son of a farmer does not want to be a farmer. He said that a mechanism should be devised to protect farmers and buyers from exploitation. He lauded the steps being taken on part of government in the establishment of model cattle market. It would bring prosperity in the lives of the farmers' community as well as buyers.
He said that the Punjab Agriculture Policy was being revamped that would help address the issues of productivity and the farming community. Dr Hamid from Pakistan Council for Scientific Research said that agriculture sector was the backbone of our economy which was contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that the country was blessed with tremendous agricultural potential and there is a need to tap that potential.
Dean of Pakistan Institute for Development Economics, Dr Usman Mustafa, said that there is need to step up efforts for the uplift sector of the marketing system. He said that farmers' community must be made aware about the marketing of their cattle and goods. Institute of Business Administration Director Dr Munir Ahmad and Assistant Professor Dr Waseem Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.