Pakistan has a rich and vast natural resource base, covering various environmental and climatic zones, the country has great potential for producing all types of food commodities so there are huge opportunities for local and foreign investments in the agriculture related industries in Pakistan, Mahfooz Elahi the President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said, in meeting at ICCI.

The President said that Agriculture sector development is essential for sustainable improvements in internal and external balances of the total export earnings. He said that the agricultural sector plays an important role in Pakistan’s economy by contributing 21 percent to GDP, providing food to millions of people, employment to 45 percent of the total work force and is a main source of livelihood for the rural population of Pakistan.

He said that this sector is a primary supplier of raw materials to industries, contributing substantially to Pakistan’s exports. It is a large market for industrial products such as fertilizer, pesticides, tractors and agricultural implements.

Some important structural changes have taken place in the sector. In particular, livestock has emerged as an important sub sector, today contributing more than one-third of agricultural GDP. But still there is a need of Government support to encourage public and private sector investment and has to initiate mega development projects for increasing growth in this sector, he opinioned.

Mahfooz Elahi said that the country is facing severe water shortage due to construction of controversial Baglihar dam. Now loadshedding is adding more problems and destroying the agriculture sector because there are 200,000 electric tube wells in the country to run electricity.

He said that agriculture sector is crucially important for our national economy and any industry related to this sector should be encouraged and facilitated to work and flourish for maintaining excellent equilibrium among all stakeholders related to the agriculture sector.  

The President said that per yield production in Pakistan is lowest in the region, which needs to be improved by use of latest techniques. He said that Government should also help growers for producing non-traditional crops as per international buying needs to increase its market share in vegetable and fruit sector. He emphasized that agriculture sector must be transformed on modern lines to reap its rich potential for exports.