Steps demanded for Rapid Agricultural Development

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday demanded steps for rapid agricultural development as the majority of the population is linked to this sector.

Around eighty percent exports of the country are linked to agriculture while dozens of industries are also tied to this sector, it said.

The prosperity of the farming communities is linked to the development of agriculture sector which merits full attention, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.  

He said that the agricultural production has not jumped despite packages announced by different governments because such incentives are designed to benefit the landed elite and not the poor farmer.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that agricultural production and exports are not impressive since long which call for the attention of the authorities otherwise this critical sector may face more problems.

He said that falling farm income due to low commodity prices and the collapse of crops and other factors has taken a toll on this sector which is awaiting full intervention by the government.

The price of locally-produced urea is always higher than its price in international market, other inputs are getting costlier while all the markets are full of fake pesticides and insecticides, he added.

He said that agricultural development is also linked to reduced input prices, quality seed and pesticides, and bank loans for which the country lacks a transparent and effective system.

The quality of life of planters should be improved with intervention to boost the share of agriculture in GDP, he demanded.