Food Minister Asserts Government’s Commitment to Agricultural Research and Seed QualityFood Minister Asserts Government’s Commitment to Agricultural Research and Seed Quality In a recent speech, National Minister for Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to improving agricultural research and seed quality. The minister addressed the establishment of a National Development Regulatory Authority, tasked with enhancing productivity and ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds for farmers. He highlighted the authority’s role in implementing targeted subsidies for the Kharif crop and ensuring timely payments to sugarcane farmers. Hussain acknowledged the global issue of food security and emphasized the government’s focus on agriculture as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. He outlined measures taken to enhance crop yields, including the implementation of Kharif crop subsidies under the supervision of a Cabinet committee chaired by the Finance Minister. To strengthen agricultural practices, the minister announced plans to send students to China to acquire advanced knowledge and techniques to double yields per hectare. He also stressed the importance of agricultural research, with a federal allocation of Rs5 billion being invested in research institutions across the country. In addition, Hussain mentioned various initiatives aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and supporting farmers, including the introduction of subsidies for solar tube wells and the cultivation of underutilized land, such as Cholistan. He also announced the provision of billions of rupees in loans to farmers and the implementation of schemes to reduce chemical use and increase production. The minister concluded by expressing the government’s determination to enhance seed quality and improve research capabilities to boost agricultural productivity. He stated that the National Development Regulatory Authority would play a crucial role in these efforts, leading to higher yields per hectare and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
Food Minister says government has not committed to improving research and seed quality through National Development Regulatory Authority
ISLAMABAD:
National Minister for Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday said the agriculture sector remains a top priority for the government. He addressed the opposition’s cuts to the ministry’s subsidy requirements, stressing the ongoing efforts to integrate research and modern technology in the sector to increase yield per hectare.
Hussain said a National Development Regulatory Authority had been established to improve productivity, with targeted subsidies for the Kharif crop currently being implemented. He underlined the government’s commitment to ensuring prompt payment to sugarcane farmers.
The minister noted that food security is a pressing global issue, and that the government has focused significantly on agriculture, which he described as the backbone of the national economy. He mentioned initiatives such as Kharif crop subsidies under the supervision of a Cabinet committee chaired by the Finance Minister, aimed at ensuring transparency as directed by the Prime Minister.
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Assuring farmers of steady crop prices and timely payments for sugarcane, the minister highlighted improvements in agricultural production and continued technology transfers, including collaborations with China and Belarus. He further announced plans to send students to China to improve agricultural practices and double yields per hectare.
Stressing the importance of agricultural research, the minister pointed out a federal allocation of Rs5 billion for research being carried out at 26 universities and research centres. He shared the introduction of subsidies for solar tube wells by the federal and Punjab governments and efforts to cultivate more land, including making Cholistan land cultivable.
Hussain mentioned providing billions in loans to farmers and ongoing schemes. He also mentioned new legislation aimed at reducing the use of chemicals while increasing production. He further said that the National Development Regulatory Authority aims to improve seed quality for higher yields per hectare, including the development of local tomato seed production.
