China sincerely cooperating with Pakistan, providing modern agriculture technology: Imran Khan

Dera Ismail Khan: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Iron Brother China was sincerely cooperating with Pakistan for agriculture development and providing modern technology under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Speaking at the Kissan (farmer) Convention here, PM Khan acknowledged the generosity of China in supporting Pakistan’s development.

“Under the second phase of CPEC, China is providing modern technology to Pakistan to multiply our production,” he stated.

The Prime Minister pointed out that cows in China produced three to four times more milk than in Pakistan. “Use of modern techniques can help enhance the country’s milk production. Owing to the government policies and increasing support prices of various crops, the country’s farming community got reasonable return of their produce and prospered,” he remarked.

Expressing his concern about fast growing population in Pakistan, which had reached from less than 40 million in 1947 to around 220 million at present, he maintained this growth could be checked through enhanced education levels and primary healthcare facilities.

The Prime Minister indicated that despite having much fertile lands and bumper wheat crops the country had to import 4 million tons of wheat last year and was again expected to import the vital commodity this year as well. “We have to import basic commodities like ghee and pulses to cater to the needs of growing population,” he added.

The Prime Minister also attributed enhanced imports of commodities as one of the major causes of inflation and said the commodity prices had increased worldwide.

He said Pakistan has to tackle this challenge by promoting its agricultural sector, research and increasing its cultivation areas and yields of various crops through modern techniques of farming.

The Prime Minister predicted that Gomal Zam Dam will make over 200,000 acres of land in the area cultivable. He claimed that the present government had started constructing dams in the country after 50 years, and 10 dams will be constructed during the next 10 years.

Highlighting the importance of research, seed development, modern technology and efficient use of water in agriculture sector, the Prime Minister mentioned that the per-acre yield of various crops in India was higher than that of Pakistan.

He said that the better utilization of agricultural lands in the areas like Waziristan and the cultivation of cash crops in Khyber Paktoonkhwa and Balochistabn will bring about a revolution in the lives of people.

Imran Khan observed that areas in Pakistan were very good for the cultivation of avocado, a vegetable full of vitamins, adding, he himself had done the experience of growing this expensive vegetable at home.

He said it was after the4 1960s that a government was focusing on the promotion of agriculture sector. “We don’t think about next elections but about the next generation,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister suggested that by cultivating and growing the cash crops like pulses, Palm Oil, Soybean and Olives, Pakistan cannot only fulfill its domestic needs but can also export the basic commodities.

Earlier, the Prime Minister formally launched Kissan Card scheme and inaugurated construction of the building of Agriculture University Dera Ismail Khan, Gomal Zam Dam Command Area project and Agricultural Research Stations.

Under the first phase of Kissan Card scheme farmers database would be improved and targeted subsidies for agricultural machinery and inputs would be provided to the farmers. In the second phase of the scheme the farmers would be provided with different facilities including the provision of interest free/ low markup loans, crop insurance and any other financial assistance in respect of natural calamities.