Zero GST on pesticides, subsidized fertilizer and cheaper electricity lined up for cotton farmers

January 8, 2019 (MLN): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan has disclosed in a recent address that the government will soon announce zero GST on pesticides, subsidy on fertilizers, reduced rates of electricity, and an amount for agro loans to small farmers.

At a cotton seminar held in Multan today, titled “Grow cotton, save economy and earn foreign exchange”, the Federal Minister imparted that the government’s foremost priority is to increase the yield of cotton.  “We are focusing on formulating a strategy regarding increase in cotton cultivation areas and decrease in input cost.”

Sharing some of the government’s planned strategies for cotton enhancement, he said that the planning regarding water conservation, training for cotton farmers in modern techniques of farming, special focus on small farmers, provision of improved machinery and provision of best cotton seeds, are all in pipe-line.

Determined to revive the lost status of cotton sector, he added that they are providing equal opportunities to farmers, keeping in focus a target production of 15 million cotton males in a year’s time.

Stressing on the significance of research and development, he said that prime importance is given to research, which is the main reason why Pakistan stands fourth among large cotton producing countries in the world.

Mr. Sultan said that although the government is nascent and is facing challenges on many fronts, but they are working on taking some concrete steps for increased cotton yield, are well aware of issues faced by cotton growers and will address them in the near future. “This will not only help our economy but will increase foreign exchange resources,” he explained.

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