August 17, 2010

Pakistan's agri industry to aid farmers

Recent floods have extensively damaged the agriculture sector and the agriculture ministry is finalising ways and means to help farmers.

Presiding emergency meetings arranged by Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) on Thursday (Aug 12), attended by representatives of leading seed companies and solvent industry, Pakistan's Federal Food & Agriculture Minister, Nazar M. Gondal asked them to help farmers in the wake of devastating floods that ravaged crops across the country.

"I seriously urge you to devise a plan and offer credit with discounts to farmers for at least six months and enable them achieve sustainable economic recovery," said Gondal. "It is both a challenge and opportunity for us get self sufficiency in production of edible oil also. PODB, seed companies and solvent industry must all devise a plan and announce it soon."

Gondal said rapeseed, sunflower, and other oilseed crops must be made regular crops and the first step is to guarantee attractive prices on par with import prices paid for edible oil. Indicative prices for procurement of rapeseed and sunflower will be announced within a week after consultation with the solvent industry.

The participants assured all possible help to assist the devastated agriculture sector and pledged to contribute to its recovery.