Imran Khan orders food and agriculture ministry to enhance cooperation with Chinese academy of agricultural research

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered the food and agriculture ministry to enhance cooperation with the Chinese academy of agricultural research to improve performance.

The Prime Minister chaired a review meeting on PM’s priority sectors here. The meeting was aimed to review progress on implementation regarding agricultural transformation plan and special economic zones, said an official statement.

The meeting was informed about the progress on collaboration with the Chinese academy of agricultural research whereby transfer of knowledge with the aim to introduce innovative agriculture techniques to improve yield and diversity, the statement added.

Addressing the participants of the meeting, PM Khan stressed that his government had chalked out a comprehensive agricultural transformation plan and is implementing it on priority basis.

“PM Mechanization of Agriculture Sector, provision of quality seed, efficient water management system and assistance in livestock farming are transforming the sector into a high yielding economic entity,” he emphasized.

With the introduction of Kissan (farmer) card, the PM remarked, “subsidy on fertilizer and genetic improvement of livestock, the government is aiming to achieve even higher yields as compared to the record yield in the previous year.”

The meeting was informed that for quality seed dissemination to increase the average yield and quality of the produce, relevant approvals have been taken and fund release is in process.

For genetic improvement of livestock import of quality semen was proposed, the process is expedited and is given high priority. Moreover to assist the livestock farmers, 9211 helpline has been revived in Punjab while it is nearly complete in Khyber Pakhtunkhaw and Balochistan. The meeting was also informed that the project for mechanization of farming is near to its completion whereby distribution of machinery to the farmers will start soon.

A comprehensive update was also given about institutional reforms regarding research institutes whereby 65% of the proposed interventions have already been implemented with a special focus on cotton research institute.

The PM was told that the Center of Excellence regarding agricultural research were soon being launched in Punjab and other provinces with a focused approach on high yielding crops and the crops that will substantially reduce dependence on imports.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on olive cultivation and was informed that import of high yielding plants for 20,000 Acres has already been commenced.

Regarding shrimp farming, the meeting was given an update about hatcheries that have been established and are soon to be operationalized in Punjab and Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Makhdoon Khusro Bakhtiyar, Syed Fakhar Imam, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shehbaz Gill and others.