Uplift of agriculture sector foremost priority of Govt: PM

December 12, 2019: Prime Minister Imran Khan says uplift of agriculture sector especially introducing latest technology in it and providing every possible facility to the farmers is the foremost priority of the government.

Talking to Chief of Asian Development Bank for Rural Development and Food Security Dr Akmal Siddiq in Islamabad today (Wednesday), he said agriculture is the backbone of the country's economy.

The Prime Minister said practical steps are being taken to enhance agriculture yield.

Apart from enhancing the production of major crops such as wheat, cotton, rice through use of the latest techniques and technology, the government is also giving emphasis on fisheries and other such important sectors.   

Imran Khan said the government is also determined to benefit from the Chinese expertise in the agriculture sector.

The Chief of Asian Development Bank for Rural Development and Food Security briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB's study on the agriculture sector.

He said the Asian Development Bank has approved a grant of one million dollars for promotion of information and communication technology in the agriculture sector. He said implementation on this project will be started next year.

Akmal Siddiq said the bank is also considering a proposal to provide a loan to Pakistan to the tune of 150 million dollars for the establishment of a state of the art wholesale market in Lahore.

He said a proposal is being considered to introduce corporate agriculture on a large scale in Kachi Canal.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Asian Development Bank's assistance for the development of the agriculture sector.

Radio Pakistan