PM Shehbaz seeks formation of committees to finalise farmers’ budget proposals

LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed his Adviser Ahad Khan Cheema to form two sub-committees to give final shape to budget proposals regarding the agriculture sector, terming the proposals of experts as very useful, ARY News reported.

The prime minister issued the directives while chairing a high-level meeting on the fiscal budget 2023-24 proposals regarding the agriculture sector.

PM Shehbaz terming the proposals of experts as very useful, directed his Adviser Ahad Khan Cheema to form two sub-committees to give final shape to budget proposals regarding the agriculture sector.

These committees would be tasked to give concrete shape to innovations in this sector, mechanisation, provision of quality seeds, direct provision of subsidy to farmers on fertilizers, solarisation of tube wells and policy measures.

The committees, for the purpose of export in agriculture sector, would also ensure linking of value addition and agriculture production with the global value chains so that production of farmers could be timely supplied to the international markets.

PM Shehbaz stressed taking practical and permanent steps over the agriculture reforms and said that the government would improve the rural economy through value addition of agri-production.

The premier observed that agriculture sector was the backbone of the national economy and the country’s progress was not possible without innovations in this sector. He said that due to incumbent government’s Kisan package, record wheat yield was achieved in the current season.

During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised of details of the agriculture reforms during the previous year.

Due to PM’s special Kisan Package, the provision of loans to farmers on affordable terms was not only ensured but due to supply of timely fertilizers and quality seeds, the country also achieved a bumper wheat crop, exceeding the previous production in the last ten years.

Under the prime minister’s directive, the best-supporting prices over different crops led to the prosperity of farmers which would also boost the upcoming crops, it was added.

The prime minister also directed for direct provision of subsidy to farmers on fertilizers. He said that provision of quality seeds, latest machinery, extension services and agriculture research, resources would be allocated in the fiscal budget.

PM Shehbaz said that practical steps should be incorporated into the fiscal budget for the complete conversion of agriculture tube wells to solar energy.

The prime minister was also informed about the international quality seeds, import of semen for animal breeding, functioning of the agriculture institutions and implementation of Kisan package.

The meeting was briefed on the National Oil Seed Policy whose objective was to reduce dependence on import of edible oil by provision of quality seed.

Automatic Seed Certification and Track and Trace System were being introduced for provision of quality seed, it was further added.

The prime minister regretted that the previous government had intentionally destroyed the agriculture research institutions which were established by them and directed for immediate functioning of the Agriculture Policy Institute.

He observed that during the current year, they had ensured prosperity of farmers by extending the best support price on wheat, cotton and sugarcane. He also directed to establishment of small fruit processing and pulping units in the villages.

“The government will make the country self-sufficient in edible oil by increasing its production. With autarky in edible oil and other food grains, the dependence on import will decrease, besides it will result in saving of precious foreign reserves,” a press release in Urdu language quoted the prime minister as saying.

The government would ensure provision of timely loans to farmers on easy terms, he further added.