Sindh govt approves Sindh Agriculture Policy

F.P. Report

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Agriculture Suhail Anwar Siyal has announced Sindh Agriculture Policy here on Tuesday.

Aaddressing a joint press conference with Sindh Minister for Information, Labour, Human Resources, Transport & Mass Transit Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh Minister for Livestock & Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani, Siyal said that Sindh is the second largest economy of Pakistan endowed with many characteristics of a high growth region including the excellent conditions for the agriculture sector. It is a coastal province, strategically located between Europe and Far East, and close to middle east with potential to become one of the largest logistical, trade and business and human resource hub in the South Asia.

The Government of Sindh wants to create an efficient, prosperous and resilient agriculture sector that can provide good incomes and decent employment to those involved in production, processing, transport and storage; and at the same time provide safe, nutritious and cheap food to urban and rural populations in addition to earning foreign exchange for the country by exporting high value agricultural products.

For over last 20 years, the agriculture sector in Sindh, as well as in Pakistan, including livestock and fisheries, has not performed to its potential. Moreover, growth has mainly been the result of increased use of resources and inputs, rather than higher productivity. Low agriculture and livestock yields are also a principal cause of low incomes and high food prices, which make it difficult for the majority of Sindh’s population to afford a nutritious diet. The present peoples’ democratic Government of Sindh under its able leadership has prioritized agriculture and livestock which results number of new programs and initiatives to promote agricultural growth and rural uplift in the province. The Government, at a Cabinet meeting held on 16 April 2018, approved First Sindh Agriculture Policy with following major goals aimed at:

Measures will be taken to increase the agricultural sector growth to 4-5% per annum which is a necessary condition to raising incomes and reducing poverty and food insecurity; providing decent employment, particularly to the large numbers of youth entering the labour market; and facilitating a greater attention to sustainability. Future growth in agriculture, livestock and fisheries will come from improving efficiency and productivity. To achieve this, the research and extension systems will be strengthened to make technological innovations in production, for example through improved seeds of major and high value crops and livestock breeds for milk and meat.

Research and improvements will also aim at increasing the efficiency along the full value chain, particularly for products such as fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and livestock products for which demand is increasing but where there are large waste and losses. Steps will also be taken to provide equal and secure access to productive resources, especially by small agriculture, livestock and fisheries producers.

The government will work to create a regulatory framework to encourage the banks and private sector to enhance investments and finance into agriculture; increase the level and efficiency of public expenditure to more efficient and effective programs, and provision of essential public goods.