The Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that the government will take the business community on board before planning any policy. He said that the government is to play the role of a facilitator and no policy can practically succeed without the consultation of all the stakeholders. The minister said that no progress and development is possible in any field without strengthening the political system of the country.

"Institutions need to be strengthened and they should work in their own domains", he added. The honorable minister said that creating consensus on terrorism is the achievement of the present government. He further said that no foreign or local investment is possible without peace and stability in the country. " By the grace of Allah Almighty, wheat is surplus in t he country while the cotton production will exceed thirteen million bales this year.

Optimum agricultural produce can be guaranteed if the growers get reasonable prices for their crops", explained the minister. Mr.Gondal said that the development of Pakistan is directly related to development of the agriculture sector of the country. He asked the business community not to exploit the poor farmers and pay them good prices for their produces. He advised them to work on value addition of agricultural products so that maximum foreign exchange is earned for the country. "Pakistan is a country that does not need any proof or guarantee regarding Halal food.

There is a huge market for our meat, chicken, etc products the world over. You need to work on it. The government is ready and willing to help and facilitate you", said the minister. In reply to a question regarding the availability of water for agriculture, the minister said that the present government has approved 32 small and medium dams to be constructed across the country among them 12 have already been issued with finances and 2 of them have been inaugurated by the worthy president. He said that a MoU will be signed with Monsanto (American Seed Company) in the near future which would help us to increase our per acre yield. Nazar M. Gondal said that the government has given 50% subsidy on the agricultural machinery to encourage the modernization of agriculture in Pakistan. He said that the government has reserved Rs. 27 b in the PSDP to make warehouses and storages for the agricultural products, which will minimize the post harvest losses.