The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (FPCCI) United Business Group (UBG) Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik has asked the government to immediately implement the Farmers Package so that flood-hit peasants could timely sow crops by buying key inputs. If the entire package is disbursed timely and hassle-free, it will not only bring agricultural revolution but also help Pakistan export its surplus at its dictated rates, he said in a press release received by WealthPK.

The prime minister has recently announced a Rs 1.8 trillion historic agriculture package to ensure the provision of free seeds and inexpensive loans besides bringing down fertiliser prices and power costs for tube-wells in the flood-hit areas across the country. Shahzad opined that the package must be disbursed to poor farmers under one window operation to alleviate their sufferings. The agriculture sector is the backbone of the economy and the government has now given it a top priority, he said.

He suggested the best-quality, disease-resistant seeds, preferably hi-tech hybrid, should be given to flood-affected farmers because the quality of the seeds matters a lot in bumper crop production. He added that hi-tech hybrid seeds not only yield more production per acre but also contribute a lot to enhancing the profitability of farmers. The recent devastating floods have damaged sizeable standing crops, killed millions of livestock, deprived villagers of their livelihoods, and displaced 33 million people, he observed. He said it is a good sign that interest-free loans will be extended to the doorsteps of poor farmers, especially in flood-affected areas.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk