ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has said the government is making all efforts to ensure availability of tractors at affordable prices.

Talking to a delegation of the tractor manufacturers here on Thursday, the minister said the government would extend all possible assistance to the industry for provision of tractors to farmers at cheaper prices.

The minister said the government would soon announce a scheme for provision of fertilisers and tractors etc., to farmers at affordable prices.

An official statement issued after the meeting said that the minister urged the manufacturers to cooperate with the government in national interest.

The minister said since the steel prices had come down substantially, both in international and local markets, the manufacturers of tractors should review production cost and bring down their prices.

He said the government was committed to improving living standards of farmers by revolutionising the agriculture sector through farmers-friendly policies.

He urged the tractor manufacturers to increase their production and explore new markets for export.

The representatives of Millat Tractors, Al-Ghazi Tractors and Universal Tractors assured the minister that they had already chalked out a plan to enhance their production from next year.

They informed the minister that tractors were already being exported to Afghanistan and some African countries and they were also exploring new markets to boost export.