Gov’t to make a new agriculture policy, Says AJK PM

Islamabad: “AJ&K to make a new agriculture policy in coordination with ministry of national food security and research to promote a shift towards high value crops”: Sardar Abdul Qayumm Niazi Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayuum Khan Niazi called upon the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam in his office on Monday 30th, August, 2021. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the ministry of national food security and research. Federal Minister Syed Fakhar Imam and AJ&K PM Sardar Abdul Qayumm Niazi discussed the high agricultural potential in AJ&K. Both dignitaries agreed to increase collaboration in shifting focus towards high value agricultural products. Fakhar Imam assured the PM AJ&K that ministry of national food security will provide every support available to help the agricultural transition towards high value crops. Federal Minister said that AJ&K has high potential for high value products such as Saffron, garlic, and deciduous fruits such as peach plum etc. He said that a transition towards high value crops can uplift AJ&K economically. He said that the factors of production of these crops are available such as bulbs for saffron. He said that average income of per acre saffron production is 25-30 lakh which is extremely high as compared to low value crops. Fakhar said that every technical support would be provided to the government of AJ&K to upgrade the agriculture sector of AJ&K. Fakhar said that the livestock sector has immense potential and should be a key area of focus as well. He said that quality of silage plays a key role in the quality of livestock and thus collaboration to enhance the livestock sector should be prioritized. Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayuum Khan Niazi said that a new policy will be made to oversee the transition towards high value crops in collaboration with the ministry of national food security and research. He said that tea plantation was once an area of focus but due to lack of vision of the previous governments it has seen little progress. He said that long term planning is the key towards meaningful output in the agriculture sector. The two dignitaries agreed to make a long-term strategy to ensure that policies are implemented by the future governments as well. Fakhar Imam highlighted the benefits of private and public partnerships and proposed that the local producer should be incentivized for transitioning towards high value crops. The two dignitaries pre-emptively discussed strategies to ensure that wheat shortage does not occur. Planning was also done to ensure that prices of wheat remain low and in the reach of citizens.
First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi has urged all political parties to materialize Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision on Clean & Green Pakistan. The environmental challenges of global warming could be faced only when we have uniform policy on making Pakistan Green, she added. She said that every institution must be a part of this campaign to safeguard Pakistan from the looming hazards of global warming. Begum Samina Arif Alvi expressed these views in a meeting on tree plantation at Governor’s House, Karachi. Begum Alvi was given briefing on tree plantation in Karachi. While urging the participants to coordinate with the provincial government in planting trees, she said that a clean and pollution free city was the right of people of Karachi. Begum Alvi said that coordination was the key to address all issues in making Pakistan Clean and Green. The parks in Karachi in different areas need renovations, she noted.
Begum Samina Arif Alvi has urged the need for social awareness campaigns regarding breast cancer among masses. Different media platforms and social media should be involved in campaigns for cancer awareness, she added. She said that mammography should be made to diagnose the cancer in early stages before it goes into final stage. Begum Samina Arif Alvi expressed these views in a meeting on Cancer Awareness at Governor’s House, Karachi on Monday. While urging the participants to start campaigns for Cancer Awareness sessions, she suggested that lady health workers should be provided flyers and banners to be distributed to people at doorstep while visiting them to motivate for Mammography. The flyers and banners should be published in Sindhi and Pashto languages too for the local communities to understand easily, she said. Kachi abadis must be targeted for awareness sessions , she advised MPAs and participants of the meeting to hold meetings with the residents of kachi abadis and motivate them towards Mammography. The pink color must be adopted as a symbol and token of awareness regarding breast Cancer, she said while emphasizing the need for a campaign. Universities and schools should be involved by conducting awareness seminars and meetings, she further stated.