Different farmers' bodies at Kissan Conference organized by the Pakistan Mutthida Kissan Mahaz (PMKM) here on Monday have urged the government to frame pro-agriculture policies immediately. The farmers' leaders also urged government to start construction of water reservoirs, initiate projects for generating power through hydel means without any delay.The conference on "Who is responsible for devastation of Pakistan's agricultural and industrial economy?" was attended and addressed by PMKM Chief Muhammad Ayub Khan Mayo, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar, Pakistan Bachao Tehreek President Nasir Ghumman, Rao Tariq Ashfaq, Farooq Dareshak, Inam Ullah Virk and Javed Mujtaba.
PMKM Chief Ayub Khan Mayo said the government had failed to protect the rights of the growers, constructing any new water reservoir or even fixing the support price of different cash crops at a level where growers could not only meet their input cost but also earn a suitable profit.
Earlier, Mayo said that the rulers had surrendered against India over the issue of violation of Indus Water Treaty. He said that this gathering of growers condemn Indian water aggression against Pakistan and once again launch a movement against it. He also opposed the setting up of coal fired power plants especially in Sahiwal, Multan, DG Khan and Bahawalpur Divisions which were fertile agricultural areas producing most important cash crops like cotton and sugarcane. He said these are 50 years old plants which would destroy the ecology of this area.
He also criticised the seed certification department for approving substandard qualities of seed, enhancing taxes on diesel and petrol and obtaining new loans from the international monetary institutions. Speaking on this occasion Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Anwer said that their movement was contemplating to launch a movement for construction of Kalabagh Dam which will provide Rs 3 per unit electricity and irrigate our barren lands.
Inam Ullah Virk expressed his concern over unlimited expansion of housing societies in the country especially in Punjab which was decreasing land availability for producing different grains and vegetables. Another farmer leader Rao Tariq Ashfaq has urged the government for abolishing sales tax on agricultural inputs. Farooq Dareshak, a farmer from Southern Punjab, asked for introduction of crop zones and research for producing better quality seeds.
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