ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Monday stressed the need for taking immediate measures to save the agriculture sector from the adverse impact of climate change and help maintain the country’s food safety and security.

Chairing a meeting of the National Assembly Special Committee on Agricultural Products, he called for implementing the recommendations of the committee in its letter and spirit in order to revive and develop the agriculture sector on modern techniques and achieve sustainable economic development in the country.

Prosperity of the country was linked with the prosperity of local farmers, he said adding that very possible measures must be ensured to revive and develop national agriculture sector.

The meeting also discussed the losses which accrued due to climate changes – particularly for small scale farmers – and deliberated upon formulating a strategy to compensate them.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Hammad Azhar assured the NA committee full support of Ministry of Finance in order to make the local agriculture sector more progressive.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan was also keen in the development of agriculture sector and prosperity of farmers in the country.

The government is striving for the prosperity of farmers, besides providing all edible commodities to a common man on affordable prices to create a win-win situation for both the farmers as well for consumers, the finance minister added.

Meanwhile, Senior Leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Muhammad Usman Dar briefed the meeting about Kamyab Jawan and Kamyab Kissan programmes.

Active role of youth was prerequisite for agriculture development and prosperity of local farming community, he said adding that loans would be provided to them under Kamyab Jawan Programme which would be initiated in 15-20 districts.

He said the youth would also be provided training under this programme as prosperous farmers and prosperity of the country were the top priority of the government.

He informed that the government had initiated ‘skills for all’ programme which was successfully progressing and loans would be provided to youth below 45-years of age.

In the first-phase, they would be provided Rs100,000 to Rs1 million with 3 per cent charges and in second phase they would be provided Rs1m to 10m with 5pc charges.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2021