Prime
Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today had a meeting with a delegation comprising
of representatives from various sectors of the agriculture sector.
Minister
for National Food Security and Research Mr. Sikander Hayat Bosan, Mr. Khalil
Sattar, Mr. Imdad Nizamani, Mr. Khalid Khokhar, Syed Nadeem Shah, Sahibzada
Qudratullah, Mr. Maseer Muhammad Maidakhel, Malik A Rehman Lang, Mian Umair
Masood, Ch. Rizwan Iqbal, Mian Ghulam Mustafa Wattoo and others attended the
meeting.
Issues
relating to the agriculture sector including cost of production, productivity,
marketability and competiveness of the local agri-products and the challenges
faced by the agriculturists came under discussion. Export potential of the
sector and the new opportunities generated through CPEC also came under
discussion.
The
Prime Minister appreciated the role of the agriculture sector towards
employment, economic growth and ensuring food security in the country. He
observed that the agriculture sector remained the key priority of the
government and every effort was being made to facilitate farmers, especially
the small farmers to flourish and contribute towards economic growth.
The
Prime Minister said that in order to ensure food security in the country and to
address the issues faced by the farmers, there was a need to prepare a
comprehensive plan with input from the agriculturists. He said that the
government and the private sector needed to join hands for formulation of a
robust policy for overcoming the existing challenges and to strengthen and
promote the agriculture sector.
Taking
note of various issues raised by the farmers, the Prime Minister directed that
a committee comprising of the representatives of the Finance Division, Ministry
of Commerce, FBR and the agriculturists be constituted to review and overcome
issues pertaining to input prices, taxes and electricity over-billing.
The
Prime Minister assured the agriculturists of continued support of the
government and facilitating them in all possible manners.
