The PTI government has decided to add an agriculture reform package worth Rs. 110 billion in the upcoming budget.
Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Agriculture, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, informed at a press conference that this package will be implemented by increasing lending for enhancement of crops, and improvement in farmers’ income by 80 percent, within three years.
He also said that the package would be financed by the center and the provinces on a 50:50 pro-rata basis. The Federal Government will allocate nearly Rs. 25 to 30 billion in the coming budget for the first year. However, the exact amount will be announced after the relevant approvals are secured.
He elaborated that the package would constitute four key elements, including an Rs. 40 billion program in three years for import of semen for administration to animals through its provision to farmers free of cost or at a notional cost, for enhancing the productivity of livestock.
Secondly, another Rs. 40 billion program will be implemented to provide fertilizers at Rs. 1,000 per bag (nitrogenous and phosphoric), to the extent of about 40 million bags. This will cover three major crops — wheat, rice, and maize.
