New laws should be enacted to protect rights of farmers: PM Imran
Pakistan
New laws should be enacted to protect rights of farmers
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that new laws should be enacted to protect the rights of farmers and consultation with all stakeholders should be ensured.
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan to promote agriculture in the country, especially cotton crop. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Shaukat Tarin, Syed Fakhr Imam, Trade Adviser Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Hussain Jahanian and senior officials.
During the meeting, approval was also given to set up an inter-ministerial committee to expedite the production of quality cotton seeds and to hold a national cotton conference.
The meeting also approved in principle the establishment of Pakistan Cotton Authority, which will conduct research to increase the supply, monitoring and production of quality seeds. New laws were also approved to protect the rights of cotton growers.
The meeting was informed that there is a stock of 4.17 million tonnes of wheat in the country at present. The federal and provincial governments are jointly providing Rs 15.5 billion subsidy on fertilizer.
As per the directions of the prime minister, a Farmers Forum has been set up under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Food Security and the purpose of this forum is to ensure representation of farmers in policy matters and to resolve their issues expeditiously.
Imran Khan also approved to hold a National Cotton Conference. On this occasion, the prime minister directed the Ministry of Industry to work out a feasibility study for setting up plants for local production of DAP fertilizer in the country.
On the occasion, Imran Khan said that the use of modern technology was essential to increase the yield per acre. The government is providing subsidy to farmers on modern agricultural implements, quality seeds and fertilizers. The real benefit of subsidy should be given to the farmer through farmer card. New laws should be enacted to protect the rights of farmers and consultation with all stakeholders should be ensured.
