May 9, 2005	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1426

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OKARA, May 8: Farmers have given vent to their discontent over a government’s decision of allowing duty-free import of potato, onion, tomato and livestock. They said the decision taken on the advise of the Export Promotion Bureau would prove inimical to the country’s agricultural sector.

These views were expressed in a meeting of Okara vegetable and fruit growers cooperative society held here on Sunday under the chairmanship of its president Rao Ikram Ali Khan.

The meeting said apparently the decision was aimed at providing food items to the general public at cheap rates but its implications would be disastrous for the domestic agricultural sector which was already under severe stress.

It said that farmers had to purchase all agri-inputs at prevailing market prices on which all taxes and government duties were levied. Even the sales tax was charged on power bills of tubewells.

On the contrary, in our neighbouring countries like India and Iran, farmers were given huge subsidies particularly in fertilizers, agro-chemicals and electricity for tubewells.

Over and above, the Indian government through “agricultural and processed foods export development authority” was providing significant subsidy/rebate on export of agri-products.

Society has urged the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock to reconsider this decision as this will severely damage the country’s economy.

It was further said that Punjab had a share of 87 per cent in potato growing in the country while Okara alone produced 22 per cent of the commodity. During the current season, handsome potato rates have given an ample support to potato growers which has nothing to do with the government policy.