Monday, January 8, 2024
Consultative session regarding formulation of Annual Development Program of the (Agriculture Sector) 2024-25.
The P&D Board organized a consultation session regarding the formation of ADP 2024–25 (Agriculture Sector), in which government functionaries, academia, researchers, progressive farmers, and representatives of the corporate sector participated.
The Chairman P&D Board, Mr Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, presided over the session.
The theme of this session was to identify the key challenges, gaps, and priority areas for formulation development projects for the ADP 2024–25 and to suggest ways forward to boost the agrarian economy.
In his opening remarks, Chairman P&D Board, Mr Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, stated that agriculture contributes 22.7% to the GDP, employs 37.4% of the work force, and provides a livelihood to the majority of the population. He said this session is scheduled for the formulation of the next ADP; therefore, all stakeholders are invited to share their views about uplifting this important sector. He instructed the relevant officers to develop fresh, creative ideas, as agriculture is an important sector; therefore, making it better and more beneficial should be our primary concern.
Secretary Agriculture Mr. Nadir Chatha, briefed about smart mechanization through on-farm and off-farm governance. He said manual sowing and the use of outdated machinery in the agriculture sector create a big loss of billions of rupees annually. He suggested that modern agriculture centers should be established for the facilitation of farmers.
Secretary P&DB Muzaffar khan Sial said, We have scheduled consultation sessions with all stakeholders, in order to get their point of view for the betterment of the agriculture sector and proper representation in coming ADP .
Chairman Nestle Pakistan Syed Yawar Ali said that for improvement in agriculture sector,we should transform this old traditional agriculture system into a modern one by providing modern agriculture tools and by educating our farmers about modern ways of sowing and harvesting the crops.
Progressive farmer Livestock sector Mr Babar Ali said that livestock sector need to be included in ADP this sector has capabilities to increase the exports.
Fertilizer expert corporate sector Mr Nazeer Ullah Khan said that in the field of mechanization reverse engineering ,which is the lowest cost solution to the economy should be introduced.
Member PSW Mr. Aslam Javid moderated the discussion.
Secretary P&D Board Mr Muzaffar Khan Sial, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Nadir Chatha, Member Agriculture Mr. Aslam Javid, and Member Environment Mr. Ahmad Aziz Tarar
Special Secretary Agriculture Mr Shahanshah Faisal Azeem, JCE Dr Amanullah Khan, Chief Agriculture Dr. Muhammad Arif Raza, Chairman Nestle Pakistan Syed Yawar Ali, Fertilizer expert corporate support Mr. Naseer Ullah Khan, progressive grower and farmer Mr.Khalid Khokhar, and Mr. Hussan Raza participated in a consultation session and shared their views to boost the agrarian economy.
