Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the ministry of national food security and research to initiate a consultative process to develop an integrated framework to expand agriculture base in Pakistan.
According to a PM office document, the ministry concerned has been directed to initiate the consultative process immediately by involving provincial governments and all stakeholders. The ministry has been asked to finalise the process timely for approval of the recommendations and allocation of necessary funds in the annual budget for next fiscal.
The ministry would hold consultation on the diversification in agriculture sector by promoting new crops and modern techniques. It will also get input from relevant stakeholders as how to revitalise the agriculture research institutions and re-establishing a national agriculture research system by synergizing federal and provincial research institutions. The PM office also asked the ministry to furnish recommendations on re-orientation of the agriculture research for development of better crop varieties in terms of yield ad disease or pest resistance. The consultation would encompass the development of new system for research funding with focus on research output rather than investing in buildings or unnecessary employment. The ministry of national food security would also recommend the measures for mitigating the impact of climate change on the sector and a long-term ground water policy aimed at ensuring the availability as well as efficient utilisation of this scarce resource.
The ministry would also develop a comprehensive framework for seed certification, fertilizer availability at affordable cost and regulation of pesticide business.
