Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, an alliance of the country’s farmers, has applauded the government's decision to reduce fertiliser prices and import second-hand tractors, saying that these actions will undoubtedly assist in increasing agricultural production.

The actions taken by the government will help the flood-hit farmers financially by giving them much-needed respite, the alliance representatives told the media.

They said that the relaxation of duty on used tractors would be beneficial for the agriculture sector because it is very difficult for farmers to purchase new tractors, while the reduced fertiliser cost will also support them greatly.

However, they have demanded that dealers who take unfair advantage of farmers by engaging in the illegal selling of fertilisers be subjected to harsh punishment.

The peasants’ leaders stated that the government reacted quickly in flood-affected areas by distributing certified wheat. It would make it possible for farmers to grow wheat in areas where they have lost millions of rupees in revenue.

The farmers’ alliance noted that interest-free loans, packages to move 300,000 tube-wells to solar systems and subsidies on solar tube-wells were all positive steps taken by the government. The farmers paid exorbitant electricity costs since their tube-wells are powered by electricity.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk