China can help agriculture sector against climate change effects: FPCCI

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Chairman Regional Standing Committee Chairman Ahmad Jawad said China has done remarkable invention in their agriculture and in a little time they have become largest exporters of agriculture and horticulture sectors in Asia and Europe. We requested Chinese authorities to assist Pakistan agriculture sector in overcoming the effects of climate change under the CPEC.

Talking to the newsmen on Saturday, Jawad said it is the need of the hour to revamp agriculture sector in consonance with the modern trends to increase production and to make it profitable. Agriculture, in Pakistan, lags far behind from the rest of the world.

It’s time that the government promoted drill sowing and quality seed especially for wheat and cotton that will enhance the growth rate up to 4%. Similarly, the country was losing the grains and fruits from 20 to 40 percent in the post-harvest losses for which we have to promote the modern post-harvest practices.

“Amid the situation of climate changes, we have to invest on breeding to develop the climate resilient varieties.” In this regard, Pakistani government must give a time frame to our research centres and universities for mutual collaboration.

FPCCI official also urged the agricultural experts to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to the issues facing the sector and farming community.

“He said the Pakistan was situated at the geographically important place from where we can easily export our agricultural produce to Central Asia, Middle East, China and other countries which had large food markets”.

Jawad maintained, “Value chain and marketing system must be developed at par with the international standards in order to flourish the sector.” He said tangible initiatives based on research would pave the way to compete with the modern world.

He further pointed out, “We are wasting our resources owing to the inefficient use of water and other inputs. It is the need of the hour to use resources wisely which would save millions of the rupees.”

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