Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday afternoon that Pakistani agriculturists should learn from China to boost production.
Chairing a meeting here on Agriculture Transformation Plan in the country, the PM predicted that agriculture in Pakistan will be revolutionised with the introduction of better mechanisation tools and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled extension services, citing cooperation with China under the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“Olive cultivation and shrimp farming on commercial scale are need of the hour to ensure food security in the country. It will also help in improving exports”, he remarked, according to an official statement.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the launch of Kissan (farmer) Card will facilitate farmers to buy machinery and agriculture inputs.
The Prime Minister directed authorities concerned to establish centres of excellence in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtukhaw for research in major crops like cotton, wheat and rice.
He also ordered to set up calf-raising centres and introduce better artificial insemination techniques for the growth of livestock and the improvement of milk production in the country.
He asked all the provincial Chief Secretaries to take effective steps for the availability of urea by putting a check on its illegal transportation to neighbouring countries, especially Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister was informed that administrative steps were being taken against individuals involved in creating artificial shortage of urea fertilizer.
The meeting was attended by Industries Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Special Assistant to the PM (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shehbaz Gill, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizengo and senior officers.
Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhaw Mahmood Khan joined the meeting via video link.
