Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced a revolutionary package of over three hundred and forty one billion rupees for the farmers.
Unveiling the package at Kisan convention in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said the package envisages direct cash assistance to the farmers, relief in prices of agriculture inputs, provision of agriculture loans and simplifying the procedure of loans.
“The package we are giving to farmers is not a favour rather it is incumbent upon the government to do so. We want to lessen your pain,” said he addressing the representatives of the farmers.
He said that, with the cooperation of provincial governments, farmers will be provided Rs5,000 per acre of land, totaling an amount of Rs40 billion.
He announced that the price of fertilizer would be reduced by at least Rs 500 per bag. He also announced that interest-free loans would be given out to farmers to convert tube-wells to solar energy.
He said that, under the relief package, a fund of Rs20 billion would be setup to cut the prices of fertilizers. The package would provide a reduction in the services charges including fertilisers, pesticides, power for tubewells and tractors price.
“Neither there was electricity and gas nor any peace in the country, Karachi too was miserable before our government assumed charge of the country with ailing economy,” he said.
He said that Pakistan’s economic indicators were improving while the international organiations were also expressing confidence in the country.
“This is not what the government is claiming instead this is what the world is saying now,” he added.
He said that all the “big projects” in Pakistan were inaugurated by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
The prime minister said that Pakistan also witnessed progress in the field of defense besides the economic front. He said that he had refused to accept a package of five billion US dollars offered to prevent Pakistan from carrying out nuclear tests.
“Had there been anybody else, they would have considered the offer as opportunity to make money. We are not here to make money, rather we spend money from our own pockets,” he said.
The prime minister also announced exemption from income tax for farmers producing fruits, vegetables and grains.
He said the government has decided to give cash assistance of five thousand rupees per acre to the farmers having land of 12.5 acre.
Referring to the plight of cotton growers, the Prime Minister said floods and rains have inflicted heavy losses to the cotton farmers. Therefore, the goverment has decided to give cash assistance of five thousand rupees to the cotton grower on the pattern of rice growers.
Nawaz Sharif appreciated the farmers saying that they are producing enough wheat to feed our 200 million people and surplus for exports. He said there was time when the country was unable to produce wheat for 30 million people.
The Prime Minister said reduction in prices of commodities and increase in the prices of agriculture inputs have raised the cost of production.
Earlier, addressing the convention, Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan said it is the priority of the government to decrease prices of agriculture inputs.
He said steps are afoot to enhance per acre agriculture yield.
