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National Food Security Policy must to develop agriculture on modern lines: Jawad

September 08, 2017

LAHORE, Sept 08 (INP): Regional chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) on Horticulture Exports Committee, Ahmad Jawad has said that the country’s National Food Security Policy must been prepared on priority to develop agriculture on modern lines, enhance growth and reduce poverty. In a statement issued here on Friday, Ahmad Jawad said that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research yet has been failed to submit the policy for the federal cabinet. It has been more than two years that policy draft didn't finalize and still available for the comments of the relevant corners. He said that the National Food Security Policy is vital to propose incentives for food processing, enhancing fruit and horticulture exports up to 20 percent, enhancing food storage capacity at federal and provincial level and developing farm mechanization. Due to much delay and climate changes our agriculture sector faced serious challenges which also increasing the aspect of fruit flies constantly, he added. The chairman Horticulture Exports Committee said that in result we didn't tap the EU markets due to this cause despite the fact we have been awarded zero percent duty under GSP Plus status few years back. He said this was a big blunder and lack of interest by the concerned departments! If we have covered this issue well in time today we will be position to fill the gap of the dwindling condition of the country exports. The chairman Horticulture Exports Committee said that in this regard we have to educate the farming community to tackle the situation that will boost their income and reduce poverty if government expedites this matter. I don't know why Ministry have so much lethargic attitude towards the National Food Security Draft, though I had also personally requested the Federal Minister in my last meeting back in 2015, said Jawad. He also said country is facing losses of at least $200 million annually owing to fruit fly attacks on crops which is posing a serious threat to the export of fruits. INP/SB/AJ