A Consultative Roundtable conference on Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan 2023-33 conducted today at the P&D Board Complex. Caretaker Minister Agriculture Punjab Mr.S.M Tanveer alongwith Chairman P&D Board Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo presided the conference.
Chairman P&D Board Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo welcomed entities and said in his opening remarks, I warmly welcome all the participants in this extremely auspicious strategic Roundtable Consultative session. He said, Agriculture Sector is one of the major contributors to the Provincial GDP. However, its productivity is far low in comparison to the global standards. He said, Agriculture sector is facing challenges with regards to productivity, climate changes, value addition, and export orientation therefore, it is dire need to holistic review of prevailing situation in Agriculture sector and to frame a Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan 2023-33.
Caretaker Minister Agriculture Mr. S.M Tanveer provided insight Ten Years Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan. He said that efforts must be made to address food insecurity issue in Pakistan, adding that the initiatives should include promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving irrigation and water management, enhancing infrastructure for storage and transportation, investing in rural development, strengthening social safety nets, and supporting nutrition. He said, Present Govt is struggling hard to improve the situation in Agriculture sector. Caretaker CM Punjab Syed Mohsin Naqvi along with experts of Agriculture sector recently visited Uzbekistan to get benefit of their experience in agriculture sector. On the basis of that observations and experiences in Uzbekistan, now we are determined to make Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan 2023-33.
Major General LIMS Mr Shahid Nazeer said, the Agriculture sector is facing various challenges including limited access to modern farming techniques, inadequate irrigation facilities, fragmented land holdings, and insufficient post-harvest storage and processing infrastructure.He emphasized on the importance of corporate farming to meet the challenges of time.
VC ,UAF Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan briefed the participants about present position of different crops in Punjab, challenges in Agriculture sector and gave suggestions to improve the situation.
The Other participants including VCs of Agriculture universities, high officers of Agriculture departs, Research scholars ,representatives of corporate sector, progressive farmers and reps of farmer associations shared their experiences and suggestions to integrate in Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan 2023-33.
Major General, Land Information Management System Mr Shahid Nazeer, Member (PSW) P&D Board Mr Aslam Javed, VC UAF Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, VC MNSU of Agriculture,Multan Dr.Asif, VC PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi Dr Naeem, Chairman Nestle Group Pakistan Syed Yawar Ali, Chairman 4-B Group Mr Javed Saleem Qureshi, GM Marketing Rafhan Maize Dr. Khalid Aziz, Fertilizer Expert Mr Naseer Ullah Khan, Mr Asif Saleem Shah Engro Group Pakistan, , Exporter Citrus & Mango Ms.Noshaba Shahzad Masood, Mr Amir Irshad FAO, Islamabad, GM Farms, Ramzan Sugar Mill Rana M Maqsood, Mr Khalid Khokhar, Kissan Ittehad, CEO Farmers Association of Pakistan Mr Afaq Ahmed Tiwana, Mr Maqsood Ahamd Jutt, Progressive Farmer, Okara, Bilal Israel,Progress Farmer RY Khan, Mr.Taha Gillani, Progressive Farmer, Jhang, Mr. Hasan Raza, Progressive Farmer,Vehari participated in the conference. 26.08.2023