Budget to focus on developing farm sector: Rind

Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Minister Yar Mohammad Rind said on Wednesday, the Budget 2004-05 will focus on the development and promotion of agriculture sector with some relief measures for farmers.
"There are proposals for some adjustments in duties and taxes on agricultural inputs, agricultural machinery coupled with measures to encourage local production of pesticides", the minister told APP.
He said the volume of agricultural credit in the new budget is likely to be enhanced from Rs 65 billion to Rs 80 billion, adding there would also be new measures to encourage tractor leasing at reduced rates.
The agricultural credit has registered 100 percent increase during the last four years, he said.
Similarly, Rind said the agriculture sector would secure an enhanced allocation in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2004-05 as against Rs 2 billion last year.
The minister said one of the main projects for agriculture development in the new fiscal would be the lining of 86,000 water courses and channels at a cost of Rs 66 billion.
With regard to agri-business marketing, Rind said horticulture and dairy businesses would be encouraged and promoted through various incentives, adding the development and promotion of the livestock sector in the country was another area of focus in the new budget, as it can help a lot in poverty alleviation in rural areas.
Setting up of modern agri-based laboratories, promotion of rodkohi system for conservation of water for irrigation purpose and awareness programmes for farmers and growers were some of the projects to be undertaken by the government, he said.
To a question, the minister said the government's agricultural strategy mainly focussed on food security, enhancing per acre yield, judicious use of water, extension of agricultural services, lining of water courses and setting up of testing laboratories.
The minister said the government, through the strategy, was targeting to achieve 27 million tonnes of wheat production and 15 million tonnes of rice production in the country by the next three years.
He, however, maintained that as per the policy, the government has to preserve a regulatory role and encourage the private sector to come forward with an enabling environment.
The government's agricultural policy also focuses on realisation of self-sufficiency in agricultural production, provision of raw material to local industry and the promotion of exports of surplus produce, he added.
Rind said the policy also encourages import substitution, ensuring reasonable return to growers on their produce, bringing prosperity in rural areas, provision of cheaper agricultural credit, adoption of modern scientific techniques, and creation of awareness in farmers.
The minister said the policy also envisages for enhanced investment in agricultural sector through a corporate culture, bringing in a sustenance level agriculture and promoting and developing the livestock for the benefit of poor.