Agriculture linked to poverty alleviation: Dr John Mellor

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Strategic Support Programme (PSSP) Chief Dr. John W Mellor has said that agriculture is directly linked to the poverty alleviation in Pakistan and it needs to be strengthened by increasing investment on the sector.

Addressing a seminar on "Agro growth and Economic Transformation" at New Senate Hall UAF here on Tuesday, he said that as many as 85 million of the population in Pakistan was working with agricultural sector as labour force.

He pointed out that the agriculture has direct relations to employment as it increases, more jobs are provided.

He said that the agri extension and researches were the areas which need to be developed to cater the growing food need of the country as well as whole region.

He said that in 60s, the fast growth in the sector was witnessed in the country but in 70s and in the early years of 21st century, it showed a declining trend.

He also stressed the need to make reforms at micro level that will help make the development in the area.

His research fellow, Dr Stev Davies said that their main focuses were water, agricultural development, poverty alleviation in Pakistan. It is a four-year project, he said and added that they will work with UAF on the agricultural issues of the country.

Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor UAF said Agricultural Policy Centre was being set up at the campus to flourish the sector. The centre will give suggestions about the agricultural policy to the government.

He said that the research portfolio was only Rs.400 million a half decade ago which has now reached at the level of around Rs.2000 million.

Director Institute of Agricultural Economics Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, ORIC Director Prof Dr Asif Ali, and Director External Linkages Dr Ashfaq Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.