The President said that interventions focussed on small farmers would pay dual dividends of increasing agriculture and livestock production and alleviation of poverty. This would make the country not only self-sufficient in food items like wheat, meat and milk but there would be surplus for export, he added.
He said with encouragement and guidance, the hardworking small growers could bring prosperity for themselves, their children and play a major role in the soclo-economic development of the country.
Appreciating various goals set by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock till 2015, General Pervez Musharraf directed the authorities that the projects envisaged must be implemented on schedule. For this purposes he emphasised upon the need for greater co-ordination between the federal and provincial governments.
He said progress on these projects would be reviewed quarterly as the government attaches great importance to the agriculture sector, which creates lot of jobs. He said greater attention should be paid for value added products.
During the presentation, the participants were informed about various goals set by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture till 2015. These include maintaining an annual growth rate of five percent in agriculture sector and a focussed approach to boost horticulture, meat, milk and fisheries production.
It was the intention of the ministry to enhance productivity through higher yields by targeting small farmers through the provision of high yielding varieties of seeds. In addition new technologies are planned in agriculture and livestock sector, improving the irrigation system, ensuring fair price to farmers and raising standards to the international level.
It was also highlighted that arrangements were being made to introduce high efficiency irrigation systems to bring a quantum jump in quality and yield of agriculture produce.
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister of State Muhammad Ali Malkani, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Akram Sheikh, four provincial chief secretaries and senior officials attended the presentation.