KARACHI – The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday lauded the decision of the government to promote the agriculture sector which was neglected for decades and demanded more steps in the upcoming budget to boost this critical sector.
Agriculture is the most important sector, it is the largest employment provider ensuring food security but the decades of neglect has brought it down resulting in food imports worth billions of dollars, it said.
Steps should be taken in the budget to provide relief to farmers and consumers as 63 percent of the population is living in rural areas facing more poverty and lack of services as compared to urban centers, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that there is almost no investment in the agriculture sector which is the most important sector to reduce poverty, combat climate change, ensure food security and empower women.
The livestock sector deserves sharp focus as eight million families are linked to the livestock in Pakistan with 95 percent having five or fewer cattle, he said, adding that the areas which should be focused include Balochistan, erstwhile FATA, South Punjab, and Tharparkar.
He noted that per acre yield is dismally low which should be increased through proper intervention as the industrial sector also needs the support of the agriculture sector for exports and to satisfy local demand.
Share of the agriculture sector in GDP was 53 percent in 1947, but it slipped to 19 percent due to decades of neglect and further loss must be stopped with the help of policy intervention.
