Local pesticides industry would be encouraged to boost agriculture production as pesticides play an important role in enhancing the yield.
Dr Mohammad Hanif, Agricultural Development Commissioner, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stated this while speaking in a PTV programme.
He said that the government has given due attention towards this important sector and stringent measures have also been taken against adulteration problem.
Dr Mohammad Hanif said pesticides, worth nearly seven to eight billion rupees, are used annually in the country in which generic and branded products are utilised. He said that mostly, imported items are sprayed.
Elaborating further, he said that in previous years, policy about pesticides remained import-friendly. Now, there is a major shift and duty structure has been made conducive for investment in this sector. Investment-friendly policy has been devised, he added.
Hanif said that under the new policy, now imported products would he comparatively costly.
Consumption of pesticides is very high which demands considerable investment besides the production of active ingredients should he made in the country, he added.
Replying to a question, he said local production of pesticides can also help avert the kind of agro-chemicals shortage that hit Pakistan's cotton crop last year.
He said that recently the Cabinet approved a pesticides policy as part of the efforts of the government to improve the agriculture sector.
It was also decided that bulk import of pesticide would be checked at seaport so that only quality pesticides are available to the farmers to enhance the yield of their produce, he added.
He said that directions have also been given to ensure the enforcement through the provincial and district governments and make available quality pesticide to the growers at their doorsteps.
To another question, he said on adulteration complaints, strict actions were taken and work is aggressively being done in this regard.