ISLAMABAD, April 18: A three-day National Conference on Role of Agriculture in Poverty Alleviation would begin here on April 21, whose recommendations would be presented to the government for incorporating these in the forthcoming national budget.

Unfolding the details about the conference being participated by 500 stakeholders involved in the agriculture sector, including experts from government and private sector, President of Agriculture Foundation of Pakistan Dr Saeed Ahmed said a conference was being held at a time when preparations for the next budget were in full swing.

The conference has been organized by the Agricultural Foundation of Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Science Foundation and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council at National Agricultural Research Centre here.

Dr Saeed said basically Pakistan was an agriculture country and agriculturists were of the opinion that poverty in the country could be minimized by boosting agriculture sector after identifying and giving practical solutions to issues confronting this important national sector.

He said eminent scientists, economists, policymakers, growers, government functionaries and representatives of agro- based industry would read their papers during the five technical sessions in the conference.

He said all aspects relating to agriculture, livestock, horticulture, fisheries, pesticides and fertilizers would be discussed, identified and their possible solutions would become part of final recommendations for preparing national strategy on agriculture. -APP