Agri sector mechanisation to help increase crop output: NARC.

Byline: Kalbe Ali

ISLAMABAD -- National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) informed the Senate Standing Committee on Food Security on Saturday that the agri sector in the country was shifting towards mechanisation at a fast pace, which would help increase crop production.

The committee by its chairman Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah was visiting the research centre, and witnessed various research projects related to seeds, orchards, different types of vegetables, fish processing unit and dairy unit.

The committee was informed that the Planning Commission has set a target to increase agri production by around five per cent in three years and it would be possible with the development of better seeds, along with changing agriculture techniques.

Chairman of the Committee Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah said that agriculture, fish and poultry had become a provincial matter after the 18th Amendment but lamented that the provinces had not taken steps to improve agricultural sector.

However, he stressed that research institutes belonging to both federal and provincial government as well the end user should enhance practical cooperation.

A member of the committee said farmers were least aware of research works being carried out in the...