Agri package implementation discussed.

ISLAMABAD -- The mode of implementation for the multi-billion 'Agricultural Fiscal Package' was discussed at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) on Thursday, with the federal and provincial governments agreeing that its delivery should be transparent.

Under the agriculture package, subsidy to the tune of about Rs37 billion would be offered to farmers on the purchase of fertilisers.

Chairing the meeting, Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhr Imam said this is the highest amount of subsidy under the package that would empower farmers and in turn strengthen the agricultural base of the country.

'The future belongs to organic agriculture.

The government's priority would be long-term research and increasing the production of five major crops,' the minister said.

Under the agriculture package, diminution in markup of agriculture loans to farmers at the total cost of Rs8.8bn, subsidy on cotton seed at a cost of Rs2.3bn and white fly pesticides at Rs6bn were approved.

The package would also include Rs2.5bn subsidy on sales tax on the locally-manufactured tractors for a period of one year.

Mr Imam said the federation and provinces will agree on a mechanism to provide each subsidy.

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