Islamabad: The government has unveiled a PKR 82 billion agriculture plan aimed at transforming the sector as well as reducing rural poverty, a news source reported. Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan discussed the targets of the plan at a press conference.
The initiative, based on recommendations by the food security ministry given to Prime Minister Imran Khan, is part of a larger PKR 200 billion package for the agriculture sector pledged by the federal and provincial governments.
Sultan said the plan – which aims to enhance crop yield, improve water efficiency, livestock and fisheries development, and create agro-markets – will be implemented within two to three years.
He said farmers would be provided crop-specific machinery on subsidised rates, adding that an investment of PKR 4 billion will be made in this regard.
International experts will be invited to set up new facilities and upgrade existing modern research institute while extension services at all level, agronomy, plant protection, marketing and crop processing methods will be re-organised in order to improve crop yield.
