Karachi: Irfan Iqbal Sheikh President FPCCI said that after neglecting agriculture for 75 years, time has come to make food security Pakistan’s top priority. Business community welcomes Prime Minister’s Kissan Package but at same time, cautioned that devil lies in transparent, fair and effective execution of package announcing a package is not enough as there have been many unsuccessful agricultural packages in history of Pakistan, he added. 

In given circumstances, earmarking Rs 1.8 trillion for Kissan Package is step in right direction. Soaring food prices is single most debilitating factor in an ordinary man’s life and that is reason Pakistan ranks one of lowest in food security and one of highest in malnutrition and growth stunting. 

FPCCI has established specialised standing committees on agriculture, food security, water resources, climate change, livestock and dairy farming at central and regional levels to help government in policymaking in larger national interest. 

Flood hit areas should be prioritized, farmers be offered collateral-free loans, electricity bills of flood-affected farmers should be waived for at least 3 months, government should make it clear to IMF and other international donors that there will be no reduction in announced agricultural package, food storage, food processing and food export businesses should also be given subsidised loans under package. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 12 2022

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