Chairman Pakistan Crop Protection Association, Engr Javed Saleem Qureshi said that the under cultivation area for wheat could be reduced because the purchasing of cotton has not yet been completed by the farmers. Government should immediately interrupt and should ensure the purchasing of cotton from the farmers. He expressed these views while talking with Business Recorder.
To a question, Javed Qureshi said that farmers should fully participate in "Grow More Wheat" campaign to save the country from food crisis. He said that the government should make farmer-friendly policies when the country is facing worst type of food crisis. He hailed the statement of Adviser to PM on Finance, Shaukat Tarin that government does not want to impose tax on agriculture.
He said that some of the departments related to agriculture are busy in a campaign against the pesticide dealers which is a discouraging thing for the pesticide dealers and will affect the efforts of private sector to bring agricultural prosperity. He further added that we are not supporting the companies that are involved in counterfeit products but we would not allow harassing those companies, which are providing good service and products in very critical situations.
According to the statistics of the government, only 0.01 percent samples proved substandard which is a very minor one", he added. Qureshi said that for the first time in Pakistan, private sector has deployed hundreds of field officers to guide the farmers and to introduce them with latest technology at their doorsteps.