The present government’s resolution is to improve agriculture productivity in future and has also initiated to start Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program. The government officials also recorded that these initiatives would supplement the attempts of the Government of Pakistan to enhance productivity of crops including wheat, rice, sugarcane, oilseeds, will harness untapped potential of fisheries, conserve water and would rise meat export of the country. The projects would be financed from PSDP at the federal level with a major share of the provinces who will fund these projects from their respective Annual Development Program (ADP). In this connection Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program has been initiated which primarily focused on:
Productivity enhancement
Three specific projects on productivity enhancement of wheat, rice & sugarcane developed under this program. Cost of wheat project is Rs.19,301 million, rice project is Rs.11,433 million and sugarcane project is Rs.3,912 million over a period of 5 years. The main interventions identified for improving productivity and growing profitability of each crop such as; development of high yielding hybrid varieties and improve provision of certified/tested seed, set up new and upgrade existing modern research institute by engaging international experts, re-organized extension services at all level, agronomy, plant protection and marketing and upgrade crop processing methods and facilitate.
Oilseeds enhancement program
Project national oilseeds enhancement program developed under this program. Project cost is Rs.10,176 million over a period of 05 years. The chief interventions are identified such as; registration of oilseed growers for grant of subsidy, subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre, maximum up to 20 acres, 50 percent subsidy on purchase of oilseed machinery, ensure hybrid seed availability by national and multi-national seed firms, establishment of procurement centre in collaboration with all Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA) under the monitoring of government representatives and arrangement of demonstration plots in oilseed growing areas.
Conserving water through lining of watercourses
Project conserving water through lining of watercourses developed under this program for lining up to 50 percent of total length of 73,078 watercourses inclusive of 13,875 water storage tanks. This also includes Laser Land Levelers, on 50 percent cost sharing basis government’s share to be capped at Rs.250,000 per beneficiary. The total project cost is Rs.179,705 million over a period of 05 years. The main interventions are identified such as; social mobilization by capacity building of water user’s Associations/Fos, minimization of conveyance and field application losses, education in water logging and salinity, equity in water distribution, reduction in water disputes/thefts/litigation, motivation/participation of farmers, poverty reduction by employment generation and increase in crops yield/sufficiency in food.
Enhancing command area of small and mini dams in barani areas
The project improving command area of small & mini dams in barani areas developed under this Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program. Project cost is Rs.27,700 million over a period of 05 years. The key interventions are identified such as; development of command area of small and mini dams, improved land and water productivity, poverty reduction through employment generation, rise area under crops and sufficiency in food and improved economic situation of barani area farmers.
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Water conservation in barani areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Project water conservation in barani areas of KPK developed under Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program. Project cost is Rs.13,020 million over a period of 05 years. The main interventions are identified such as; construction of water ponds, construction of check dams, inlet outlet spillway, water retaining facility/reservoir, terracing, pipe lining/open channel flow watercourses, high efficiency-drip & sprinkler irrigation system and solarisation of water reservoirs/pond and high efficiency irrigation systems.
Shrimp farming & cage fish culture
Project shrimp farming developed under this emergency program. Project cost is Rs.4,842.78 million over a period of 05 years. The chief objectives are identified such as; promotion of shrimp aquaculture in the country, development of shrimp value chain, support services and legal framework and many more. Furthermore, project cage fish culture developed under this program. Project cost is Rs.6,856.87 million over a period of 05 years. The main objectives are identified such as; optimal utilization of natural water resources, upscaling cage culture technology across Pakistan, livelihood and job creation for rural people, increase per capita fish consumption and export earnings from cage aquaculture.
Trout farming in northern areas of Pakistan
Project trout farming in Northern Areas of Pakistan developed under Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program. Project cost is Rs. 2,291.97 million over a period of 05 years. The chief objectives are identified; promotion of trout farming in cages and ponds through effective utilization of land and water resources, value chain development for trout fish, promote entrepreneurship through commercial fish production by local communities, contribute towards poverty reduction for rural communities and fish stock replenishment of natural water bodies to promote tourism in the area.
Save & fattening of calf & backyard poultry programs
Project save & fattening of calf developed under Prime Minister’s Agriculture Emergency Program. Project cost is Rs. 5,344 million for both save and fattening of calf over a period of 04 years. Furthermore, project backyard poultry program developed under this program. Project cost is Rs.329.13 million over a period of 04 years.