Worth emulation decision

Government of Punjab has launched a project worth Rs.6 billion for providing 50 percent subsidy to farmers on the purchase of certified high yield seeds and effective insecticides for protection of standing crops from insects and pests attacks. The project will also cater for the use of transplanters to increase plantation in rice fields and extending subsidy on other agriculture implements.

Farmers of small and subsistence landholdings can get maximum benefits from project of providing liberal subsidy on the purchase of agriculture inputs and implements of mechanized farming. Bulk of the agriculture land in Punjab and interior Sindh is in the possession of big landlords who may deprive small farmers from the fruits of this important project of boosting productivity of cereal crops. However, in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa feudalism does not exist and majority of farmers can be benefited if the provincial government emulates the Punjab Model of agriculture development.

The monetary incentives of provincial government need to be buttressed by the fiscal incentives of the federal government to automobile sector on the manufacturing of tractors, power tillers, harvesters and other implements. The combined efforts of federal and provincial government can steer the agriculture sector out of prevailing crisis.