FAISALABAD, Jan 2: The government has conceived a comprehensive plan to provide loans to small farmers on soft-term for bringing green revolution in the country and reducing financial constraints of the farming community.
This was stated by Federal Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind while speaking to members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday night.
He said the plan to provide loans to small farmers would commence soon and scheduled banks and other financial institutions were being taken into confidence in this regard.
The wheat production target, he claimed, would be achieved with the special efforts of government departments and agricultural scientists. Farmers were being given certified seeds, pesticides and other implements under special programmes, he said.
The Federal Minister claimed that a gigantic plan was also being finalized to provide maximum incentives to cotton growers. The government would also explore new markets for the exports of cotton surplus cotton.
The government was ready to provide subsidy to cotton growers but due to restrictions in the light of agreements with international donors and financial agencies this decision could not be implemented, he confessed.
The agriculture sector in the past had been given the step-motherly treatment due to which farmers were facing innumerable problems and suffering huge financial constraints. But, he said the present government would provide a number of incentives for strengthening the agrarian economy.
Mr Rind also visited different sections of the local Ayub Agricultural Research Institute and expressed his satisfaction over the performance of AARI scientists and officials. Scientists of local research institutions developed modern and fruitful varieties of different crops which had not only enhanced their production in the country but also provided a financial relief to growers, he claimed.
He said that all the promises made with the farming community would be fulfilled. Suggestions and proposals of the leaders of farmers and research scientists were also being given due consideration in conceiving different policies, he concluded.