ISLAMABAD: The current situation facing the agriculture sector of Pakistan and measures to comprehend the harmful impacts of the coronavirus lockdown on the agribusiness were discussed AT an online conference on Tuesday.

Dr Umer Farooq, Member Social Sciences at Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), spoke on the post-harvest challenges in Pakistan and suggested a workable policy for farmers as Pakistan was not prepared for the pandemic.

The conference, “Impacts of Covid-19 on agriculture sector in Pakistan” was organised by the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS).

“The assets of our country are now in havoc and we need national unity and consensus to formulate a strategy,” said Dr Farooq.

MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali talked about the importance of the food industry, especially in rural areas and its contribution to the country’s economy.

Pakistan’s international trade is being affected due to the lockdown restrictions and the trade of fruits and vegetables will be negatively affected if proper policies are not formulated, he warned.

Former Punjab minister for livestock and dairy development emphasises the need for advanced technology in agriculture sector

A former Punjab minister for livestock and dairy development, Mumtaz Mohammad Khan Manais, emphasised the need for advanced technology in the agriculture sector with a view to increase the productivity of agro-industry in Pakistan.

Highlighting the importance of food security policies, he said 60pc of the country’s economy is based on agriculture, and keeping in view its significance, the government should provide sufficient technology and tools to revive it during a pandemic.

Dr Waqas Ashraf, Assistant Professor Department of Plant and Pathology University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Islamia University Bahawalpur, explained the effects of the pandemic on the country’s import and exports, and said the lockdown was creating numerous challenges for farmers and people associated with the agriculture industry.

He stressed the need for the preservation of orange seeds as they are helpful in boosting immunity.

CGSS member on the board of advisers, retired Brig Mansoor Saeed said the world had gone into a recession in the post Covid-19 era and re-emergence for Pakistan will only be possible if proper and better rates are paid to the farmers.A former chairman of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Dr Yusuf Zafar, said the coronavirus pandemic is first and foremost a “health crisis”, however, it is also a major social and economic predicament. There is a need to maximise public sector investment to strengthen the research and development sector.

Earlier, CGSS President retired Maj Gen Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery briefed the panelists about the current scenario and the relevance of the agriculture sector.

The session was attended by participants from academia and agriculture sector.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2020