ISLAMABAD (January 13 2004): Dr Ashfaq Hassan Khan, Economic Adviser, on Monday underlined the need for sustained development in agriculture sector to alleviate poverty from the country.

Development in agriculture sector will help remove the menace of poverty, he said while speaking in PTV programme 'News Morning'.

He said that during the past 30 years, the agriculture sector made only 4 percent development. We cannot achieve sustained development in agriculture sector without increasing our water resources, he added.

He said that we must bring maximum land under cultivation by removing water shortage, by constructing more dams in the country.

The Adviser said that the government is committed to enhance water resources for development of the sector.

About Rs 200 billion would be spent to build small and large dams across the country. After completion of these dams, millions of acres of land would come under cultivation and give a quantum jump to the sector, he said.

Dr Ashfaq said that about 42 percent work force of the country was attached with agri sector and development in it would bring prosperity for them and ultimately help in lowering the poverty level.

Courtesy Business Recorder