ISLAMABAD: A comprehensive ‘structural reforms-oriented’ agricultural growth strategy for the next seven years — aimed at accelerating the agricultural growth up to 5 per cent per annum in a sustainable manner — was proposed by the sub-committee of the National Assembly Special Committee on Agricultural Products on Wednesday.

The overarching goal of the proposed strategy is to boost agricultural exports, accelerate rural-development driven economic growth, reduce rural poverty, enhance financial and gender inclusion in agricultural sector, convener of the sub-committee, Shandana Gulzar Khan said while briefing on the proposed strategy.

Drawing upon historical data on the agriculture sector of the country, Khan explained that inconsistent growth patterns of agricultural sector reveals lack of consistency in policy and planning for the sector.

The proposed strategy was prepared after comprehensive consultations with stakeholders including private sector, provinces, development sector, legislators and progressive growers.

The proposed model envisions a pro-poor growth strategy focusing on transformation of the business model of the 7.4 million smallholder farmers who cultivate 48pc of the total cultivable land, she said.

The convener explained that plan aims to accelerate modernisation of the agriculture sector so that it can generate resources for the sustained development of the economy with a high degree of self-reliance. The proposed strategy would complement the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiatives for agriculture sector, she added.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020