Pakistani food minister addresses SCO meeting on agriculture

by Shafqat Ali

ISLAMABAD, Aug.13(Gwadar Pro) - Pakistani Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Thursday attended and addressed the 6th meeting of Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States on agricultural issues.

Fakhar Imam said that Pakistan was one of the most adversely affected countries in the world due to climate change. He said that the pattern of rainfall has significantly changed, which has drastically affected the agriculture output of the country.

He said that due to irregular rainfall, two million cotton bales were destroyed in Sindh. The minister said that the current government has been extremely successful in thwarting the menace of locusts and COVID-19.

The minister said that the government aims to improve the on-farm water management through techniques such as sprinklers and drip irrigation systems so that the utilization of limited water resources can be maximized.

Imam said that under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership, agriculture has been given utmost importance. He said that the current government aims to transform the agriculture sector of Pakistan through mechanization and research.

The federal minister said that there were approximately 8.4 million farms in Pakistan that will get a direct subsidy through the Kisan Card Scheme launched by the prime minister.

Imam said that the government wants to cut the middleman and directly benefit the end farmer.

Imam urged the members to further increase cooperation and exchange in agricultural research so that Pakistan can transform its agricultural sector to the likes of the developed countries.