ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has underscored the need for involving all the relevant stakeholders for successful implementation of the proposed Agriculture Transformation Plan.

During a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema at the Finance Division, the Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin vowed his full support to implementation of agriculture transformation plan.

The overall situation regarding availability of essential food items was discussed during the meeting.

The finance minister reiterated the government’s firm commitment to provide essential food items at affordable prices to the consumers throughout the country.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin underscored the importance of building strategic reserves of key commodities namely, wheat, sugar, pulses, ghee, tomato, onion, and potato in order to eliminate undue profit margins and to stabilize prices of the items of daily use.

During a discussion on Agriculture Transformation Plan designed to boost agricultural productivity in the country, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema stated that it would promote agri-business and attract investment from the private sector.

The plan would also help reduce post-harvest losses, add value to local agricultural produce, develop rural infrastructure, and enhance access to micro credit for farmers.

The Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin also desired to utilise expertise of the SAPM on Food Security to effectively control the prices of essential food items on a regular basis to provide maximum relief to the general public.