ISLAMABAD: Critical issues confronting the agriculture sector in Balochistan were discussed at the ministry of national food security and research here on Tuesday where the provincial agricultural minister urged the federal government to meet 50 per cent cost of agricultural development projects in the province.

Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aslam Bizenjo, accompanied by Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan and Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo, briefed the Federal Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan on the needs for the development of agriculture in the province, particularly financial constraints being faced by the provincial government for the development of agriculture.

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Mr Bizenjo sought the federal government’s help for the two projects in the area of irrigation and wasteland in the province.

Mr Sikandar Hayat assured the Balochistan delegation of his ministry’s full cooperation in developing the agricultural sector of Balochistan.

He said that Balochistan possessed vast potentials in fields of agriculture and livestock which needed to be improved and upgraded.

Mr Bosan was assisted by Secretary of National Food Security, Seerat Asghar, PARC chairman Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, Director-General of Water Management Cell Tahir Anwar and other senior officials of the ministry.

Mr Bosan said that efforts were being made to introduce modern agricultural practices in the country because it would improve the agricultural yield and productivity and ensure future food security.

Secretary Seerat Asghar said that ecology of Balochistan was conducive for development of various high value horticulture fruit crops such as cherries, kiwis, olive and pistachio.

He also offered help to the Balochistan government in olive and banana plantations in huge quantities to change the agricultural landscape of the province.

The meeting also discussed several project proposals to be jointly initiated and implemented in Balochistan in different areas of agriculture to improve agriculture infrastructure in the province.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2014