KARACHI: The top body of country’s business community has urged the government to include agro-based farm sector in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
This was stated by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s (FPCCI) Regional Standing Committee Chairman Ahmad Jawad.
He said cooperation between the two countries in agricultural sector holds every potential to be included in CPEC as one of the major development oriented project. “Corporate farming is, however, yet an area of possible cooperation through joint ventures,” he said. “Projects for technological support in the field of agriculture and farm sector research can be proposed,” suggested the FPCCI official mentioning value addition was another important area that could be focused upon.
He said the government itself and all relevant stakeholders within the country also need to strengthen the agricultural sector through adequate investment in research.
Equal attention, he said was needed to not only maintain but also increase yields; develop crop and plant tolerance against pests, diseases and climate change associated threats. Ahmad Jawad also suggested better regulation of seed markets and stronger incentives to encourage private investment in research and development.
The FPCCI Standing Committee chairman said Pakistan’s agricultural sector holds enormous potential that could be tapped through higher levels of investment and major reforms in public policy related to agriculture sector.
