Lahore: Pakistan Kissan Board President Sardar Zafar Hussain has urged the federal and provincial governments to allocate at least 10 percent of their budgets to agriculture in the upcoming fiscal year and introduce farmer-friendly policies to strengthen agricultural production, food security, and the rural economy.

Addressing a pre-budget press conference at Mansoorah, Lahore, he said agriculture contributes 24 percent to the national economy and provides employment to around 45 percent of the workforce, yet receives a disproportionately small share of public spending. He noted that the federal government allocated only 0.36 percent of its budget to agriculture last year, while Punjab allocated 1.5 percent, Sindh and

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1.9 percent each, and Balochistan 2.5 percent.

Sardar Zafar Hussain said that 60 to 70 percent of Pakistan’s population is directly or indirectly linked to agriculture, but the sector’s growth rate has declined from 6.5 percent to just 0.6 percent. He termed the situation
alarming and called for urgent corrective measures. He said Pakistan could earn up to $60 billion annually through agricultural exports if the sector received adequate support. Expressing concern over rising input costs, he said a bag of urea sells for around Rs900 and DAP fertilizer for Rs4,500 in India, whereas Pakistani farmers pay approximately Rs4,500 for urea and Rs16,000 for DAP.

The Kissan Board chief demanded that electricity tariffs for agricultural tube wells be fixed at Rs10 per unit for five years, petroleum levy on diesel used for farming be abolished, and free electricity be provided for agricultural tube wells. He also called for the withdrawal of free electricity and fuel facilities for government officials and urged the Punjab government to sell its Rs11 billion aircraft and divert the proceeds to support farmers and agriculture. He further demanded a five-year national agricultural policy formulated in consultation with farmers, advance announcement of minimum support prices before sowing,
a 50 percent reduction in the prices of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals, tax exemptions on agricultural machinery and solar equipment, interest-free agricultural loans, and comprehensive reforms in agricultural markets. ‘Farmers are not asking for charity; they are demanding a clear and sustainable policy framework,’ he said, adding that a strong agricultural sector was essential for a strong Pakistan.