The NWFP government on Tuesday announced its first-ever agriculture policy, exempting from land tax owners of up to 5 acres (40 kanals) agricultural land, and 50 to 25 percent relief to the defaulting farmers of the abiana. Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani unveiled the policy before a gathering of farmers from all 24 districts of the province here at the Frontier House. Finance Minister Siraj-ul-Haq and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Qari Fazal Mahmood also addressed the function.
The Chief Minister said that the fee on mutation of inheritance, 'tamlik' and division of land would be abolished from next financial year.
He offered 50 percent exemption on the outstanding Abiana to all those defaulters who would pay their arrears before December 31, 2005.
Similarly, 25 percent exemption has been offered to those who would pay their arrears between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
He said that this would help reduce poverty in rural areas through improving productivity and production of agriculture and livestock resources. He said it would lead to employment and income generation and creating congenial conditions for private sector-led growth.
The policy has been divided into 'short-term' measures, 'medium' and 'long term' recommendations.
The policy stressed strengthening co-ordination and service delivery system for which the provincial government would form multi-stakeholders District Agricultural Co-ordination Forum in all districts of NWFP under the chairmanship of Executive District Officer. The forum would co-ordinate, support and monitor various activities at district level and forward its recommendations on regular basis.
It would also recommend constitution of core groups in horticulture, livestock and agriculture sectors. It would recommend, on periodic basis, various measures related with the agricultural sector development. The group would work under the Secretary Agriculture.
It suggests the establishment of model farm service centres, which will provide an interface among agriculture-related departments, NGOs and farming communities. Service delivery to farmers will be ensured through one-window facility. Moreover, endowment fund would be created, which will be used for the purpose of credit for small and efficient running of the centres.
The policy calls for provision of mobile soil testing labs to ensure quick services at the doorsteps of the farming communities, provision of mobile livestock dispensaries and vaccine services and provision of quality and cost-effective seed and fertilisers through provincial seed corporation. It would be provided through farm services centres and sub-centres.
For creating enabling environment for the private sector investment it recommends the constitution of multi-stakeholders, Livestock Development Board, which will work under the private sector for the growth and investment in the livestock sector. It provides for establishment of buffalo colonies at Peshawar, Mardan and D I Khan, revival of fruit grading plant on public-private partnership at Peshawar and conservation of water resources through improvement and lining of water-courses with community participation, and creation of milk co-operatives (Hala Model) at Nowshera and D I Khan districts.