Agri, livestock: Rs50bn should be allocated to enhance production: PBF

KARACHI: Vice President of Pakistan Businesses Forum (PBF) Ahmad Jawad has demanded to revisit the allocation of Rs21 billion to enhance the production of agriculture and livestock during the fiscal year 2022-23 before approval from the parliament.

He said government has allocated Rs21 billion to enhance the production of agriculture and livestock during the fiscal year 2022-23 which is not clear properly under which head, however it should be at least Rs50 billion.

We should understand that without agriculture our economy can’t transform. All major intervention areas for the revival of agriculture sector are still under federal government.

He appreciated the removal of customs duty on agriculture machinery which was long awaited issue.

He also said we expect that government may announce subsidy on agriculture financing for the transformation of the sector but no such announcement were made which is disappointing.

On the other hand allocation for federal ministries and PSDP are much higher compare with agriculture sector allocation in FY 22-23.

Additionally, he said, loan scheme for new agriculture graduates for promoting agriculture services should also be government’s priority in the budget but not witnessed any announcement in the speech. Included no facility for cool chain development, promotion for horticulture exports could be witnessed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022