RAWALPINDI, Aug 4: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday said that incentives should be provided to small farmers to increase production to help alleviate poverty.    During a presentation organised by the food, agriculture, livestock and fisheries ministry here, the president said that with encouragement and guidance, small growers could gain prosperity and play a major role in socio-economic development of the country.

Appreciating various goals set by the ministry till 2015, he directed that the projects must be executed on schedule and emphasised the need for greater coordination between the federal and provincial governments for achieving that objective.

He said progress of these projects would be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

The goals set by the ministry include maintaining an annual growth rate of 5 per cent in the agriculture sector and boosting horticulture, meat, milk and fisheries production.    To increase productivity, small farmers will be provided high yielding varieties of seeds. New technologies are being planned for the agriculture and livestock sector. The irrigation system will be improved and a fair price will be offered to farmers for their produce.—APP