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Govt finalizes roadmap to revamp agriculture sector: Farrukh
June 25, 2021

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib says the government, under the directions of the Prime Minister, has finalized a comprehensive roadmap to fully revamp the agriculture sector on scientific grounds to ensure food security in the country.

Chairing a meeting on devising a communications strategy on the new agriculture policy in Islamabad today (Friday), he said the proposed agri reforms will lead the country towards self-sufficiency in food production, including livestock, poultry, and fisheries.

Farrukh Habib said the ministry of information and its attached departments, including Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television, and Associated Press of Pakistan, will play a key role in creating awareness about the new agriculture policy among masses, particularly the farmers' community.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said all the barren lands across Pakistan will be utilized for agricultural purposes, keeping in view the environmental and soil features of the relevant areas.

He said the government is working on small dams to conserve every drop of water for the agriculture sector to achieve this objective. He said the government will diversify the agricultural production, going beyond the traditional crops. He said special agriculture malls would be established in all parts of the country where farmers could sell their produce and buy agri in-puts, ending the role of middle man.

Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said special quality control vehicles will be deployed at the entry points of all cities and urban centers to check quality and nutritious value of milk. He expressed the resolve to make the country self-sufficient in edible oil by ending the import of soybean in next couple of years. He said cultivation of olive, sunflower, canola and other crops will be encouraged to increase the local production of edible oil.

The SAPM on Food Security said we are committed to replace the imported packed food items with locally produced quality and cost effective products.