Addressing the employees of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) during his visit to the Bank, the Prime Minister said food security was a big challenge worldwide which had surfaced after depletion of energy resources, increase in population and water shortage.
The Prime Minister said in view of national and international challenges, the government was desirous of strengthening the agri- sector which would not only ensure food security but also contribute to the country's economy.
He stressed providing incentives to small farmers as about 45 percent of the population was associated with the agriculture sector.
Belonging to a family with agricultural background, Raja Ashraf said, he realized the importance of farmers who give life to the barren lands through their hard work.
He said even the food served and enjoyed at multi-star hotels carries the story of a farmer's laborious work.
He said prosperity of farmers and resolution of their problems was his government's priority.
He added that agriculture was an effective way to control poverty and provide the rural population a mean to earn livelihood.
Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in line with the vision of Shaheeds Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always supported the labourer class may it belonged to factories or agriculture.
He mentioned several incentives given by the government to farmers including the Insurance Scheme that covered five major crops namely wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane and corn; and the increase in Produce Index Unit from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 2,000. He said in year 2011- 12, farmers were given loans worth 198 billion rupees which was 17 percent more as compared to the last year.
He said the support price of wheat on 40 kilograms had also been raised from Rs. 625 to Rs. 1,200.
He said the government through its prudent agricultural policies had now become a wheat-exporting country.
The Prime Minister lauded ZTBL for providing assistance to farmers and particularly mentioned introducing hybrid seeds and giving training to farmers to increase produce of their crops.
He called upon the ZTBL administration to adorn the walls of the Bank with the pictures of small farmers and their families so they always keep on reminding about their need for uplift.
The Prime Minister asked Capital Development Authority (CDA) to discuss with the ZTBL management the issue of a land in Sector G- 7 which had been allocated to the Bank by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
He announced a one-month bonus to all the employees of ZTBL. He also pledged to further reduce the mark-up ratio for farmers on their loans.
President ZTBL Ehsanul Haq Khan said ZTBL was pursuing projects for rural population that aimed at improving their living standards.
He mentioned four schemes of loans -- Energy Saving Scheme under which Bio Gas Unit is used for low-cost energy to boost agri- production, Solar Energy Scheme for solar pumps, Easy Loans Scheme for rural population aged 18-35 years and Women Employment Scheme to empower rural women to help them increase their family income.
He said other incentives were cultivation of olive and grapes in Potohar region, model villages, projects through Agriculture Support Fund and USAID, dairy farming and online banking to facilitate the farmers.
Earlier the Prime Minister was giving briefing about the working of the ZTBL. Minister for Capital Administration and Development Nazar Gondal was present.