By Qudsia Bano ISLAMABAD, Mar 01 (INP-WealthPK): Agricultural sector is critical to Pakistan’s economic growth, food security, job creation, and poverty reduction, especially in rural areas of the country. However, reduced arable land, climate change, water scarcity, a growing population and workforce migration from rural to urban areas coupled with largely primitive production methods have all slowed down agricultural growth. Moreover, the rising input prices have added to the problems, according to WealthPK. With strong forward and backward links to the secondary (industrial) and tertiary (services) sectors, agriculture has the potential to play a key role in driving economic growth. Recognising the importance of agriculture for economic growth, the government has focused on a set of policies in order to maximise advantages by implementing an agri-input regime to boost yields of important rabi and kharif crops. The government’s five-year Agriculture Transformation Plan aims to boost national agricultural output and farmers' livelihoods, WealthPK reported. Under the plan, distribution of quality seeds among farmers has started in order to raise per acre production and quality of produce. The import of high-quality semen has also been proposed under the plan for animal genetic enhancement. Since the start of the plan, helplines have been reactivated in Punjab in order to assist the livestock farmers in redressal of their issues. Such helplines are also being reactivated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The plan also envisages the mechanisation of farming by ensuring the provision of agriculture machinery to farmers at affordable rates to help enhance yield. Additionally, the establishment of a comprehensive and well-managed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system for agriculture sector, including the provision of extension services to support farmers, will be launched. The provision of agricultural equipment and cutting-edge gear to farmers at subsidised rates reflects the government's farmer-friendly policies. Using agricultural machinery to make better use of agriculture interventions during crop production would save energy and time. Over 3,000 farmers in various districts of Punjab will receive various types of agricultural implements worth over Rs8.7 billion as part of the transformation plan. In this connection, the Board of Investment has also devised a one-stop-shop concept for investors to facilitate them in speedy regulatory approvals for establishing their ventures. They are also being provided hassle-free provision of utilities like electricity, gas and water. The provincial and federal governments have also developed a uniform compliance regime for the provision of services to the investors. A proposal has also been made about the empowerment of management companies to obtain NOCs/permits on behalf of investors. This project will serve as a watershed moment in agricultural development. "We will not be able to build our economy better without value addition in the agriculture sector and development of agro-industries," said Ahmad Jawad, Vice-President of Pakistan Business Forum (PBF). “Similarly, we must seek Chinese cooperation in crop variety development, animal breed improvement, collaboration in agricultural machinery development, and capacity development and training." "With the foregoing in mind, the government should lower the cost of production by providing direct assistance to farmers in the procurement of machinery, fertilisers, pesticides, and other inputs, as well as developing infrastructure to facilitate farm-to-market access," stressed the PBF vice-president. “Furthermore, the government should develop a sustainable agriculture policy to safeguard the country's food security," he emphasised.