ISLAMABAD:Federal Minster for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Friday ensured that the grievances and issues of farmers would be taken up at appropriate forums in order to address them to achieve sustainable agriculture growth in the country.
The Minister chaired a meeting on major issues/concerns of the farmers, which was attended by Tahir Khursheed Federal Secretary for the Ministry, Additional Secretary Ministry of Power, representative from ministries of Industries and Production, Commerce and other federal government departments, said a press release.
Secretaries Agriculture Government of the Punjab and KPK also attended the meeting, while representative from Governments of Sindh and Baluchistan participated the meeting besides grower associations and progressive farmers from all the provinces.
The Federal Minister said, the Power Division is in process to move a summary for the ECC on electricity rates for agriculture sectors, adding that the issue will be resolved in collaboration with provincial governments because after 18th constitutional amendment most of the components of the agriculture sector relates to the provincial governments. Secretaries Punjab and KPK also showed their commitments for resolving the issues of farmers at their parts.
Progressive growers showed their concerns on withdrawal of concession on GST on agricultural inputs and agri-commodities whereas farmers from South Punjab raised the issue of water shortage/theft.
In the meeting, enhancement of support price was also discussed. The farmers raised the point that fuel price adjustment on electricity bills of agriculture tube well be divided on whole the year with flat rate. Issue regarding GST on fisheries, its feed and grower grievances on an unannounced ban on export of gur and shakkar was discussed as well.
The growers pointed out the cost of production has increased manifold. They also demanded to ensure the availability of fertilizer and removal of GST on pesticides including other product used in cotton crop.