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USDA assures help in agriculture sector
LISLAMABAD (April 17
2004): US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy
Secretary James Mosley has assured Finance
Minister Shaukat Aziz of USDA's desire to extend
technical assistance to Pakistan for improving
farm yields, creating better marketing and provide
latest technology for seed research and
agriculture extension services.
He said the world is gradually improving the
market-based system in agriculture.
Earlier, Shaukat Aziz in a meeting with James
Mosley sought American assistance in grading,
branding and packaging of agriculture products,
especially fruits and vegetables for increased
exports.
Shaukat said that the government would encourage
US investment in manufacturing of agriculture
machinery, inputs and production of quality seeds.
He said that Pakistan would encourage US technical
assistance in biotechnology, capacity building,
development of marketing techniques and farming on
scientific basis.
Similarly, the government was also encouraging
livestock development through micro-financing
schemes to promote animal husbandry in the
country.
The finance minister also said that Pakistan
offered huge market for agriculture machinery.
The government was committed to increase
agriculture income so that growth in this sector
increases and rural poverty reduces.
Agriculture is 26 percent of the country's GDP and
employs 60 percent of the total work force and as
such is a critical element for Pakistan's strategy
for accelerating economic growth.
The finance minister indicated nine drivers of the
growth, which are critical for realising full
potential of the agriculture sector.
These include ample supply of water, improvement
in quality of seeds, availability of inputs
through pesticides and fertiliser, improved use of
tractors and modern implements, availability of
agriculture credits, improvement in agricultural
markets, improvement in agriculture extension
services, improved agriculture research, and
automation and modernisation of land record
database.
These drivers would enable the agriculture sector
to show substantially high growth and enable it to
compete globally as well as improve farm income,
growth in the rural sector and enable agriculture
to realise its full potential.
Shaukat also talked about the major role of dairy
sector and the minor crops for improving farm
incomes and providing a base for agro-based
industry as well as creating export potential.
Mosley appreciated structural reforms initiated by
the government during the last four years and
increased development expenditure, the government
is incurring in by providing infrastructure for
agriculture sector, including building of canals,
repair work of irrigation system as well as dams,
construction of farm-to-market roads and other
support services critical for this sector.
US Ambassador to Pakistan, secretaries of finance
and economic affairs, members of American
delegation and senior officials of the Finance
Ministry attended the meeting.
Courtesy Business Recorder |
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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