ISLAMABAD, April 23: Poverty reduction linked to active participation of rural masses in economic activities with provision of basic infrastructure and skill-based information to boost agro-based and cottage industries.

This was stated by Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Dr ME Tasneem here on Monday while addressing an “international seminar on rural development and poverty reduction.”

Speaking on the occasion the chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council highlighted the role being played by the PARC in promoting research and dissemination of information and in bringing together donors, semi-autonomous research agencies and private sector consulting firms to address key issues of national importance.

The thematic focus was on the need for considering both the farm and non-farm sectors when devising policy for rural income growth and poverty reduction.

Dr Tasneem said agriculture growth requires a thriving non- farm sector and both farm and non-farm sectors together are necessary for poverty alleviation in rural areas.

He said the objective of seminar was to present the results of recent research on these key areas with a view to assisting in definition of holistic policy measures for rural income growth and poverty reduction in Pakistan.

Member Planning Commission Dr Kauser Abdullah Malik said government has spent about Rs60 million for improvement and de- silting of watercourses, he said.

“Drip and sprinkle system has been introduced in the country which help in irrigating about 3,000 hecters,” he added.

Kauser said feudal system, which was one of the main cause for poverty, should be eliminated.

He said livestock sector which consists of about 50 per cent share in agriculture GDP could further boost to alleviate poverty in rural areas.

He said government had spent about Rs47 million to improve livestock sector and in this regard public-private sector played tremendous role as hundred per cent results were achieved.

Member Planning Commission said as many as 4,000 application were received for establishing private dairy farming so far.

The World Bank report on “Rural growth and Poverty Reduction” was also launched at this seminar.

Dr Nadeem Ul Haque the Vice Chancellor of PIDE University stressed the need for quality research to form a basis for policy making.

He asked for further studies of the non-farm sector and of the farm to non-farm linkages in order to highlight the key constraints to rural growth.

—APP