A delegation of the World Bank's Agriculture and Rural Transformation Mission led by Country Director Patchamuthu Illangovan met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here Wednesday. Matters regarding development of agriculture sector and strengthening of markets for agriculture and rural transformation in Punjab were discussed in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and agriculture sector is the backbone of its economy. He said that development of agriculture sector could help strengthen national economy and achieve the target of self-sufficiency. He said that Punjab government would welcome cooperation of the World Bank in the development of agriculture sector.
He said that provincial government wants to benefit from the experience of the World Bank experts for the uplift of agriculture sector and increase in per acre yield. He said that an agreement of cooperation would be signed between Punjab government and the World Bank for development of agriculture sector.
Shahbaz Sharif further said that the World Bank in an important partner of Punjab government in the programme of uplift of social sectors and several programme are running in the province with the cooperation of the World Bank for the provision of basic amenities to the masses. He said that the World Bank is extending commendable cooperation for the development of social sectors adding measures would be taken for increasing its cooperation in agriculture sector.
Chief Minister Punjab said Punjab government has given a historic package of Rs 100 billion for increasing per acre yield and prosperity of small cultivators. He said programme of provision of interest-free loans to small cultivators has been started and these loans are being given in a highly transparent manner. Shahbaz Sharif furthers said that Punjab Agriculture Commission has also been established for the uplift of agriculture sector and solution of problems of cultivators while a high level committee has been constituted for evolving agriculture policy. He stated that measures are also been taken for establishment of Small Farmers Development Corporation. Shahbaz said future of Punjab is linked with agriculture and development of agriculture sector. He said agriculture research could go a long way in increasing agri production. He said benefit of research to farmers is of vital importance therefore extension services are being fully activated. He said comprehensive reforms are being introduced in seed industry. He pointed agriculture experts of the World Bank have given excellent recommendation for the development of agriculture sector in the province.
Country Director of the World Bank Patchamuthu Illangovan assured all out cooperation would be extended to Punjab government for the uplift of agriculture sector. He said that there is a vast potential for the development of agriculture sector in Punjab and the World Bank with work with the provincial government for fully utilizing this potential. He said finest agriculture scientists of the world have been appointed in Islamabad and working with them would leave a positive impact on agriculture sector in the province.
Provincial Ministers Dr Farrukh Javed, Yawar Zaman, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Special Assistant on Livestock Arshad Jutt, Advisor Dr Ejaz Nabi, Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of concerned departments, agri experts and senior officers were also present on the occasion. Senior Director Agriculture Juregen Voegele, Senior Agriculture Economist Johannes Georges Pius Jansen and other experts comprised the World Bank team.