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Growers demand farmer-friendly budget
HYDERABAD (April 29
2004): Growers' organisations are of the consensus
opinion that farmer-friendly budget is imperative
for sustainable development of the agriculture
sector.
The representatives of growers organisations,
Sindh Abadgar Board, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture,
and Small Farmers' Association, were commenting on
the budget for the financial year 2004-05 while
talking Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
They said development of trade and industry is
linked with the development of agriculture sector.
President of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Qamar
Zaman Shah said that institutional loans to
growers should be streamlined.
He said that there is no justification for Zarai
Tarraqiyati Bank (ZTB) to charge 14 percent
mark-up from growers whereas the mark-up on
production loan is much lower.
He demanded that the mark-up on agriculture loans
should be reduced to an economically viable level.
He said that due to this private loaning
institutions have also increased their mark-up
rates with the result that majority of growers are
unable to get loans.
President of Small Farmer Association said that
water shortage at tails of canals has increased
the difficulties of small growers.
He said that the government should enhance the
budget allocation to streamline the age-old
depleted irrigation network.
President of Sindh Abadgar Board, Abdul Majeed
Nizamani, said that poor water availability has
caused production losses to the tune Rs 200
billion.
He demanded that at least Rs 10 billion should be
allocated to rehabilitate at least 50 percent of
provincial irrigation network during the financial
year 2004-05. He said, in Punjab 60 percent
watercourses have been strengthened with cement
lining which had minimised the water losses
whereas only 17 percent of watercourses have been
rehabilitated in Sindh.
He demanded of the government that agriculture
should be provided relief akin to India. He
demanded that power to tube wells should be made
free.
Qamar Zaman said that GST on agriculture produce,
inputs and agriculture machinery should be
removed.
He said GST on sugar has compromised the sugar
production economic viability with the result the
price controversy become a regular phenomenon.
The growers' pre-budget proposals included removal
of GST on all agriculture inputs including
fertiliser and pesticides. The import of
agriculture machinery should be made tax-free.
The financial backup and bank loans should be
streamlined and the growers should be provided
loan on minimum mark-up rates. Growers should be
provided representation in agriculture
policy-making organisations.
Courtesy Business Recorder
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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