Agriculture is the backbone of country’s economy as 65% population of Pakistan is linked with farming: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD, March 24 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated the Seed Potato Production and Processing Complex for the production of potato seed through modern method of aeroponics.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony at the National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad on Monday, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed the confidence that this initiative will help produce high-quality potato seed. He said this will further contribute in saving foreign exchange reserves being spent on the import of the potato seed.

The Prime Minister said agriculture is the backbone of country’s economy as 65 percent population of Pakistan is linked with farming. He said Pakistan’s farmer is very hard working and energetic and he can do miracles if he is provided with the quality seed, fertilizer and genuine pesticides at affordable prices.

PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to manufacture combine harvesters and other farm-machinery in the country instead of relying on imported equipment. He further stressed to enhance yield in other crops like cooking oil seeds, sugar and cotton. He said Pakistan imports cooking oil worth 4.5 billion dollars annually and this amount can be saved by locally producing the commodity.

The Prime Minister also expressed his deep gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its cooperation in the Seed Potato Production and Processing Plant.