|
Main Page
|
 |
|
News Channel |
|
Minfal seeks Rs 2,462 million for PSDP in next
budget
ISLAMABAD (April 14 2004): The Ministry for Food,
Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has demanded Rs
2,462 million for Public Sector Development
Programme (PSDP) in next federal budget.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday
that Minfal has demanded this amount to build up a
diversified plan with 21 new schemes to develop
agricultural infrastructure and to ensure
availability of inputs and pesticides to properly
look after the crops.
The PSDP proposed by the ministry is under
discussion in the Planning and Development
Division and it will be finalised most likely by
middle of this month, sources said.
The priority committee held two meetings on the
public spending plan, which was higher than last
year's allocation of little over Rs 1.5 billion.
The PSDP includes around Rs 1000 million as local
currency component and Rs 1400 million as foreign
currency component.
The ministry expects to get Rs 1250 million in the
shape of foreign aid while Rs 137 million would be
met from own resources.
The new projects include research work on crops,
plants and animals. They also feature some
development work and renovation of link roads and
lining of irrigation channels to improve their
condition and make sure the maximum utilisation of
water for irrigation purposes.
The projects also include agricultural sector
development loans, which are presently being
provided by commercial banks besides Zarai
Taraqiati Bank (ZTB).
The PSDP also includes allocations for 32 ongoing
projects. The Planning and Development Division
has approved 21 new schemes while two new projects
were disapproved due to some reasons, sources
said.
The Minfal is eager to have well-thought strategy
during next 2004-05 to improve the agricultural
sector that did undergo heavy troubles in Rabi and
Kharif crops and both cotton and wheat production
remained lower than the targets last year.
According to sources, neither of the ongoing
projects was abandoned in the proposed PSDP.
Through enhanced allocation the new schemes would
not affect the ongoing projects.
The new projects will have special emphasis on
crops' maximisation in order to make the country
self-sufficient in wheat. Fibre testing
laboratories will be established in five districts
in Punjab and Sindh before the commencement of
Kharif season, sources said.
Courtesy Business Recorder
|
|
|
|
|
Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
|
|
