ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam, chaired the 15th meeting of National Coordination Committee on Agriculture Transformation Plan (ATP) here on Wednesday. The meeting was conducted with the provincial counterparts to monitor the ongoing progress of ATP. The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary of National Food Security Mr. Tahir Khursheed, Convener of the NCC Dr. Abid Suleri, Chairman PARC Dr. Ghulam M. Ali and the chief secretaries of Punjab, KPK, Sindh and Balochistan.
Fakhar Imam said the purpose of the meeting was to ensure progress is monitored in order to ensure that ATP was on track. He said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has put special emphasize on the upgradation of the agriculture sector. He said that almost 19 % of GDP is directly contributed by the agriculture sector and that through value addition it can become the backbone of the economy.
Fakhar Imam said Rs 5.5 billion subsidy will be given to Punjab to ensure that ATP is timely executed. He said chief minister (CM) Balochistan will be requested to ensure allocation of funds in Annual Development Plan (ADP) of the province for current fiscal year (CFY). Fakhar Imam praised the progress of Punjab with respect to implementation of ATP. He advised to further accelerate the process regarding finalizing the mechanism to distribute subsidized agricultural implements to farmers.
The minister asked Sindh to ensure timely execution of Hari card system on the pattern of Kissan Card Mechanism being followed by KP and Punjab. Furthermore, KP was advised to start working for distribution of subsidized agricultural implements to farmers in light of recommendations shared by the federal government. Fakhar Imam said that to facilitate farmers at union council level, agriculture extension based service of all the provinces are being re-vamped under ATP. He said that ICT enabled extension services will transform the productivity of the small farmers.
Fakhar was briefed about the on-going efforts of the provinces to ensure availability and price control of fertilizers. He said that these measures need to be further strengthened in order to protect the small farmers. Fakhar Imam ensured all the participants that necessary steps will be immediately taken to provide any support needed by the provinces. Fakhar Imam praised the efforts of Punjab in ensuring that the farmers sow wheat seeds timely.
Dr Abid Suleri asked the provincial representatives about availability of urea fertilizer. The representative of Balochistan updated him about the steps taken to curb hoarding and smuggling of urea, including increased vigilance on Iran and Afghanistan border .