ISLAMABAD, June 22: Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo said recent drought spell had necessitated the use of efficient irrigation technology and smart variety of crops with lower water requirements.

In an interview here on Saturday, the minister said the rain fed areas in the country contributed a huge chunk of agriculture products and proved to be a source of livestock survival.

Apart from the staple food grains, he said, these areas were vital for the production of variety of fruits and vegetables.

Mr Junejo said the government had initiated many schemes for uplift status of agriculture in the rain fed areas which included loans, sinking of more tube-wells, barani dams, sprinkle irrigation system apart from flourishing the livestock and orchards.

Mr Junejo said the government had increased the credit ceiling for farmers from Rs5 billion to Rs100 billion and streamlined the loan disbursement procedure.

In the drought-affected areas, a moratorium for the period of one year for repayment of loans has been granted to the farmers and redisbursement of loans have been allowed without clearing previous loans.

The government has evolved policy for judicious use of water, introduction of advance technology for irrigation, sinking of more tubewells, improved quality of seeds and more incentives to private sector.

Mr Junejo said structural reforms had been introduced in the leasing sectors and expansion of credit line for agriculture project loan. —APP