The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Sunday asked the government to pay special attention to the agriculture development in the upcoming budget. Pakistan's economy is based on agriculture and this sector is providing majority of jobs but its share in the GDP is just 22 percent which should be enhanced, Chairman of FPCCI Regional Committee on Industries Atif Ikram Sheikh demanded He said that this sector deserves special attention as eighty percent of the national exports are linked to this critical sector. "Development of agriculture sector is linked to prosperity of farming communities which should not be ignored," he added.

Agricultural development is linked to reduce input prices, quality seed and pesticides, and loans for which we lack a transparent and effective system that put growers on the mercy of loan sharks, he said. The business leader was of the view that despite farmers' package and other initiatives the agricultural production and quality of farmers' life have not improved therefore the whole matter should be revisited.

He noted that urea companies keep local prices more than international market discouraging farmers, loans are uncommon, market is flooded with substandard seeds and fake pesticides while landed elite have hijacked the system. Thus the exports of rice and textiles continue to fall while cotton crop has failed necessitating imports.

Atif Ikram Sheikh said 69 percent of cultivable land is located in Punjab where 80 percent cotton, 63 percent sugar cane, surplus wheat and rice and other products are produced but it gets over 90 percent share in agricultural loans.

He noted that provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK get less than ten percent share in the loans which is discrimination. These issues will keep the agricultural sector from development unless addressed properly, he warned.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017