ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP): National Assembly on Friday approved seven demands for grants worth Rs. 22.332 billion for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Division and associated departments. The House rejected 199 cut motions presented by the opposition members on demands with a majority vote. Minister for Finance Syed Naveed Qamar moved the motions to the House while Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Nazar Mohammed Gondal opposed the cut motions on behalf of the government.

Discussing the demands for grants on cut motions, opposition member Sheikh Waqas called for making loan-getting process of Zarai Taraqqiati Bank easier and transparent. He suggested the government to write off outstanding loans up to Rs0.5 million payable by the small farmers. He called for action against the sugar mills owners who owe billion of rupees to poor farmers, and said in our government too, they played negative role and some of them were part of our cabinet as well. Shahzada Mohiyuddin proposed an increase in the subsidy of DAP up to Rs 2000 and introducing a research-based system to beware the farmers about crop fit for their soil. He said the government should ensure transparent expenditure of Rs 66 billion allocated for irrigation system.

Kashamala Tariq said there is dire need to introduce new research methods in agriculture sector and government should promote BT cotton instead of traditional one. She also suggested promoting the production of sunflower and canola to reduce edible oil prices and construction of small dams to preserve water for future needs.  Abdul Khaliq Pirzada observed that most of the projects being run by the agriculture ministry have nothing to do with the agriculture sector. He said during last 15 years, not a single new variety of wheat has been introduced while the old one has become vulnerable to diseases. He said markets are rampant with fake pesticides but red tapism is hurdling the passage of Pesticides Act lying in the ministry for long to curb this menace.

Taking part in the debate Ghulam Bibi Bharwana said the country is far behind in agricultural research, adding there is one research institute in the Federal Capital, a farmer who have no money can take advise from them, she questioned. She said the government should plan water supply through turbines, tube wells and other alternative ways to those areas facing water shortage. She said farmers should also be provided easy access to Mandies so that they could sell their products in the market. Hamayun Saifullah said the NWFP province is facing water shortage which is resulting wheat and other edible items shortage. He said the province should be provided water according to its quota it would enable it to meet its own demand of wheat and other edible items. Marvi Memon called for measures to stop deforestation and sustainable policy to facilitate the farmers and boost agricultural sector. Nasrullah Khan Bijrani said that neighbouring country of Pakistan is giving huge subsidy on wheat the government should provide subsidy on wheat. He said it is need of the time to make the farmer prosperous, it would stop the smuggling as well as strengthen the agricultural sector. He said research institute should invent new forms of seeds and proposed formation of Seed Research Corporation. He proposed construction of small dams to meet the water shortage. Riaz Fatiyana said there should be a price commission so that it could announce prices of crop timely. He criticised research council for not invention. Zobaida Jalal said that the government officials should get out of their offices and go to the field to help the farmers who are affected badly. She said due to water shortage and lack of proper planning a vast area in Balochistan province is lying barren, that should be cultivated to give boost to the agricultural sector in the province.

Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, said wheat and flour crisis is standing firmly and mafia is continue to smuggle it to other countries. She urged the Prime Minister to take immediate measures to catch this mafia to control the wheat and flour crisis. She said that due to neglect of agriculture sector the wheat and flour crisis aggravated in the country. Pakistan is among those countries who are facing food shortage. Hoarding, mismanagement, smuggling and supply line between wheat and non-wheat producing parts of the country are those areas that need to be addressed immediately.