ISLAMABAD: Stemmed from high yields, attractive output prices and supportive government policies, the agriculture sector continued strong performance with growth of 3.81 per cent during the outgoing fiscal year.

The Economic Survey 2017-18 noted that better availability of certified seeds, pesticides, agriculture credit and intensive fertiliser off-take also contributed to expansion of the sector.Presenting the survey, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Miftah Ismail said that the growth in agriculture sector is the highest in the past 13 years. The growth rate exceeded the targeted growth of 3.5pc for 2017-18, and also last year’s growth of 2.07pc, survey notes.

The crops sector performed well and witnessed a growth rate of 3.83pc against the last year’s growth of 0.91pc. The growth in sub sectors, important crops, other crops and cotton ginning registered a significant growth of 3.57pc, 3.33pc and 8.72pc, respectively, against last year’s growth of 2.18pc, negative 2.26pc and 5.58pc respectively.

Major Kharif crops such as sugarcane and rice surpassed their production targets by recording growth of 7.45pc and 8.65pc, respectively, while cotton crop managed to exceed last year’s production level by recording growth of 11.85pc during 2017-18.

Wheat and maize crop production remained subdued, as it witnessed decline of 4.43pc and 7.04pc respectively. Other crops having share of 10.80pc in agriculture value-addition and 2.04pc in GDP, grew by 3.33pc on the back of increase in the production of fodder, vegetables and fruits.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2018