SAARC urged to exploit agriculture resources for sustained growth
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Secretary Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) Muhammad Ismail Qureshi has said that SAARC countries possess huge potential for sustained agriculture growth in the form of abundant natural resources.
Addressing the preparatory meeting of senior officials to the SAARC Agriculture and Food Ministers here on Tuesday, he said SAARC provided a best forum for the members countries to share and learn from each other expertise.
He said Pakistan attached highest priority to agriculture growth for attaining rapid growth in national economy and poverty reduction. The targeted growth rate for these sector is 4 to 5 per cent per year, he added.
Secretary MINFAL said the government has been vigorously implementing a policy and institutional reforms in this sector. Besides, it is making substantial investments in infrastructure and services to improve competitiveness of agriculture sector, he added.
He expressed the hope that this meeting of SAARC countries would pave the way to cooperate meaningfully for better utilisation of respective resources.
Secretary General SAARC Chenkyab Dorji in his address said, “We need to encourage agriculture, livestock, fisheries and other non- farm activities to provide additional income opportunities.”
This will definitely help in poverty reduction, he added.
He underlined the need for diversification of agriculture, multiple cropping and adoption of efficient post-harvest technology.
He said it was high time that the best practices were replicated with necessary adjustment.
Stressing the need for collective food security, food safety and food quality, he said there was a need to create Regional Food Banks.
The Secretary General asked the member countries to expedite their efforts to realise the commitment of SAARC countries leaders by contributing to an efficient agriculture sector and vibrant rural economy.