Agri Forum Pakistan (AFP) Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal has said that 80 per cent growers of the Punjab are of the view that tussle between Center and Punjab is destroying the agriculture.
Though the federal government dissolved the agriculture ministry but is continuing to control seed, fertilizer, pesticides, agricultural loans, electricity and diesel sectors and process of fixing support or minimum price of different agricultural products.
Mughal made these observations while talking to media here on Saturday. He alleged that the federation was bent upon destroying the agriculture and growers of the Punjab who are contributing 76 per cent in the total national agriculture.
Agri Forum Pakistan Chairman predicted that the ruling party MNAs hailing from rural areas would have to face severe hardships in next elections. Reason behind the increased problems for these legislators include declaring India as most favoured nation, up to 18 hours load shedding in rural areas, decreased wheat buying target by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and imposition of sales tax on fertilisers, seed, electricity, agricultural implements and pesticides by the government. These factors had multiplied problems for the farmers manifold, he said. He said that failure of the Zarai Taraqqiati Bank to achieve even 70 per cent of its credit target was equal to leaving the growers on the mercy of middleman.
He said that issues like migration from rural areas to cities, exports, employment and price-hike were also aggravating due to damage to agriculture. Mughal also alleged that the central government also seemed to be a failure in negotiating river water issues with India.