Improvement in agriculture sector: Minfal plans to launch two schemes worth Rs 18.6 billion

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) is planning to launch two separate programmes, worth Rs 18.6 billion, to improve the agri sector from next fiscal year.
Sources in the Ministry told Business Recorder on Saturday that the programmes, pertaining to commercialisation of livestock sector, high efficiency in irrigation system and high-value crop production, would be launched from next year.
The Ministry would spend Rs 15 billion for promotion of efficiency in irrigation system and high-value crop production, they said.
The irrigation system would include drip and sprinkler method while high-value crop production of horticulture would be the main beneficiary of this project, sources said.
The Minfal will also launch two major initiatives for milk and meat development, with an estimated cost of Rs 3.6 billion from next fiscal year. Two private companies, namely Livestock and Dairy Development Board, and Pakistan Dairy Development Company, have been established to increase the pace of development in the livestock sector, sources said.
The Ministry has also prepared an up-scaled ''Crop Maximisation Programme, which would cover 1,000 villages in all four provinces and AJK, FATA and NAs, they said. It would enhance crop productivity of small farmers at village level, supporting them to start income generation activities in the areas of livestock, fisheries and high-value crops on sustainable basis, it is hoped.
On-going projects: Agriculture Support Loan Programme-II is an investment and reform programme supported by $350 million assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
On-Farm Water Management Programme with a cost of Rs 66 billion is meant to renovate 87,000 watercourses, but this year the programme is likely to repair 15,000 instead of 10,000 watercourses with an investment of Rs 7 billion.
The ministry is also executing a programme with the support of ADB for the improvement of horticulture and livestock related businesses at an estimated cost of Rs 4.1 billion.