LAHORE, Dec 7: The three-day Agribusiness Conference 2004 concluded here on Tuesday, recommending an array of measures ranging from increase in agriculture credit for the promotion of agri processing industry in the country.
Major recommendations of the moot for different sub- sectors of agriculture are:
CERTIFIED SEED: The sector offers a lot in hybrid seed production and to facilitate the industry, all policy legislation's may be promulgated. National biotech agenda should be announced and implemented. Infrastructure should be developed for seed processing and storage facilities with no restriction of movement of seeds across provinces.
FOOD PROCESSING: Revamping of food laws to meet the demand of the industry in modern times. Increased focus on research and development was highlighted and participants felt that it should be institutionalized. And such institutions should work intandem with the industry.
Standardization of food is an important factor, hence effective laws should be devised and their implementation should be ensured. Counterfeiting is another problem faced by the industry, so we suggest effective laws and their implementation to protect consumers and the legitimate industry.
BMR IN COTTON GINNING: Price incentives Establishment of cotton ginning research institute. The newly-established textile ministry should implement textile vision in its true letter and spirit.
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING: Farms should be the centre of storage. Pesticide residue is a problem and we need harmonization. Reorganization of quarantine facilities. A comprehensive marketing strategy for agriculture produce was urged and the government was asked to take necessary steps.
POULTRY SECTOR: Per capita availability of poultry products is low and it can be improved by making more investments. But the industry seeks government's patronage. Proper availability of financing to the sector, and effective marketing.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS: Standardization of the implements manufacturing in the country. For the benefit of small farmers, there is a need to encourage services of such products. The most vital issue brought to the forefront was that tractor prices to increase due to hike in input cost. Steel prices should be controlled for the agriculture implements industry.
LIVESTOCK: Taking livestock farming as a business with special emphasis on the promotion of commercial dairy farming. Productivity of our livestock population. Bull production and breeding farms are urgently required. Maximum incentives for livestock farmers.
WATER MANAGEMENT: Water management strategy and the hot issue is to handle the water reservoirs with utmost care. Experts at the Conference felt that seepage should be plugged in the distribution network. Suggestions were also discussed and put forward to improve the water utilization system at farm level.
The importance of high efficiency irrigation was also highlighted. It was recommended that the government should construct more reservoirs, improve water delivery and save management losses.
FERTILIZER INDUSTRY: The government has to take a decision on DAP whether to encourage setting up a DAP plant or depend on imports. Fertilizer regulation need to be expedited by the government in consultation with all the stakeholder including farmers. A Regulatory Body is required to frame concrete rules and regulations.
HORTICULTURE EXPORTS: Integrated efforts by the whole chain of floriculture from growing flowers, transporting, R&D and taxation authorities. To start a farmer capacity building mechanisms by the government and the authorities should pass the Plant Breeders Act.
DAIRY FARMING: Regulatory measures are called for to ensure that quality milk is being sold to the consumers. A strong dairy association is needed to further develop the industry, securing better raw quality milk at a lower cost. Capacity building of the livestock farmers is required to help them increase productivity and adopt suitable technology.
PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDE: Pesticides application techniques are defective and more training should be given to farmers. There should be a policy shift so that local formulation and manufacturing of pesticides cold be encouraged.
Proper disposal of empty containers of pesticides in order to stem environmental degradation, and Tax holiday on manufacturing of pesticides for a certain period.
HYDROPONICS: It is highly capital intensive project but the results are amazing. The production is organic in nature and without the use of pesticides. But to kick-start this computer-controlled technology, the government has been asked for maximum facilitation.
Scientists be allowed to test this technology. Information dissemination so that all the stakeholder should benefit.
TRADE: Support price should match the import prices of the same product. Farmers need to be educated about WTO implications to the agriculture sector. EPB need to focus on providing support to the farmers who want to export by putting up institutions required for certification and meet other requirements.
