ROME, Sept 30: President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Lennart Bage and Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization Dr Jacques Diouf called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf here on Thursday.

President Musharraf discussed with them problems of the agriculture sector in Pakistan and steps taken by the government for the expansion of agriculture and related sectors like livestock and fisheries.

He especially mentioned the Rs62 billion project for brick lining of canals all over the country to improve the irrigation system and enhance crop yield. The programme, he said, would also help generate job opportunities, especially in the rural areas.

President Musharraf applauded the role of IFAD and FAO for the development of the farm sector in Pakistan.

The IFAD and FAO chiefs lauded the steps taken by the government for the improvement of the agriculture sector and assured their organizations would support the country in achieving autarky in food. They said their organisations would send teams to assess the problems of the agriculture sector in Pakistan. -APP