Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said on Wednesday that farmers play a pivotal role towards economic development of Pakistan and special day for farmers should be celebrated every year. He was addressing a special event organized in connection with the 'Kissan Day' celebrations.

Sarsabz Fertilizer, a flagship brand of Fatima Fertilizer under the Fatima Group, marked a special initiative to recognize December 18 as 'Kissan Day' in Pakistan.

This is because unlike many other developed countries around the world, Pakistan never had any such day to celebrate its farmers, despite being an agri-based economy and having 60 percent of its population residing within rural communities having 100 percent reliance of income on Agriculture.

The speaker lauded the efforts of Fatima Fertilizers for recognizing the contribution of the farmer community. He also agreed on the fact that a special day for farmers should be celebrated every year in Pakistan. Sarsabz Fertilizer has been active since a long time advocating on giving due importance and recognition to Pakistan's underserved farmers in order to curb national food security challenges on the face of constantly increasing food demand. Sarsabz's Salam Kissan initiative recognizing December 18 as Kissan Day holds a unique importance of being the first-ever initiative not only to celebrate the farmers of Pakistan, but to also serve as a constant reminder about the importance of agriculture for our economic betterment.

'Kissan Day' was celebrated during a special event organized at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad on December 18, 2019 with a recommendation to the government to recognize and announce it officially as part of the country's annual national calendar of special days to be celebrated. The event was attended by high profile dignitaries from both Government and agriculture sectors.

The government representatives included notable figures such as Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser and Member of National Assembly Syed Fakhar Imam.

Also present at the event were Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Ling and Srilankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid. Representing the Agricultural sector were renowned agriculture entrepreneurs including Imdad Ali Nizamani, who is also a progressive farmer, as well as top management officials from Sarsabz including Ali Mukhtar, Director at Fatima Group, Khurram Javed Maqbool Director Marketing and Sales at Fatima Group and Rabel Sadozai, Head of Marketing at Fatima Group.

Having a special day for farmers meant to recognize and honor their important role and contributions to the national economy.

While speaking at the occasion, Khurram Javed Maqbool, Director Marketing and Sales at Fatima Group stated that farmers are the backbone of our great nation and a key driving force to enable growth and prosperity within Pakistan's agriculture sector. Without their contribution, it is impossible to resolve our food security challenges, keeping in view the growing population in Pakistan. We need to provide an enabling environment for them and remove any impediments in the way of their growth. Let this day become a reminder for everyone every year that within the progress of our small-scale farmers lies in the prosperity of our beloved country.