FAISALABAD (March 15 2004): University of Agriculture vice chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmed has urged to evolve target-oriented policies to meet food requirements of the country and face challenges posed to the agrarian economy after the implementation of the WTO regime.

Addressing at a function of the Agrarian Society of Pakistan held at the University auditorium here, the vice-chancellor said that Pakistan had been spending huge funds in defence sector to keep stable the balance of power in the region.

But after the implementation of the WTO regime, he said the country would have to battle 200 nations only in the agriculture sector for which not only huge money was required but also effective policies on war-footings.

He claimed that 24 percent of the total income and 80 percent of our exports had directly or indirectly depended on the agriculture sector.

He said it was a clear proof that we could neither achieve self-sufficiency in food nor compete in the international market without modernising the agrarian economy.

The University was making frantic efforts to provide guidelines and policies to the government to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity, he added.

 Courtesy Business Recorder