LAHORE - Agricultural credit to farmers in Pakistan declined
from $3.4 billion in 2007-08 to $3.1 billion in 2010-11. During the same
period, Indian agricultural credit increased from $63.3 billion to $103.4
billion. Agricultural credit in Pakistan is 8 per cent of agri-GDP while in
India, it is 31 per cent of agri-GDP.
This was stated by Asad Umar, Chairman Pakistan
Business Council, while speaking to Agricultural Journalists’ Association. He
said that despite having immense potential, the agriculture sector of Pakistan
lacks efficiency and global competitiveness, causing dent to self sufficiency
in production of various farm produces.,
In his presentation on ‘Agriculture – a mainstay
of Pakistan’s economy’ Asad Umar said production of various farm products has
been as low as 90 per cent if compared with global benchmark. Sugarcane yield
is 40 per cent lower if compared with global benchmarks, wheat yield is 20 per
cent lower, non-basmati Rice yield is 40 per cent lower, cotton yield is 20 per
cent lower and milk yield per animal is 90 per cent lower, he said.
The low output also adversely affects capability
of farmers to earn more, he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment