TANDOJAM: Agriculture is converting in the shape of an industry in Pakistan and agribusiness and farming is shifting towards able youth, therefore agricultural investment should be given priority for development of the country and change of people’s lifestyle.
An awareness seminar on the “Role of agricultural investment in the economic development of the country” was held at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam in collaboration with the Small Medium Enterprise Development Authority at Dr A. M. Shaikh Auditorium hall, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Addressing the seminar Ms. Ayesha Ikram, Director General Human Resources, Higher Education Commission, said that there was a need to change the crop pattern of farmers in the country and agriculture should be seen as a developing agro-industry rather than just a livelihood profession and the biggest role in this can only be played by agricultural graduates.
She suggested to the agriculture graduates to prepare their projects under the “Kamyab Nojawan Program” of Government of Pakistan and in this regard their successful projects will be funded, as there are ample business opportunities in various sectors related to agriculture, in which agricultural products, dairy, poultry, vegetables, fruits and organic agricultural products are also important, so the youth should take advantage of the opportunities in agricultural investment with the help of institutions like SMEDA.
Dr Zaffar Siddiqui, Director ORIC Isra Medical University, Hyderabad said that the youth could contribute through small and medium enterprise to build their viable career in Pakistan, and the government should facilitate the youth in providing basic financial assistance, because they do not have the capital to run a business,
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director, University of Advancement and Financial Assistance, said that the opportunities of small and medium business related with agricultural and livestock are available for the youth of the province.
He emphasize the need for cooperation to help young graduates run their own businesses, as it would help in food security, climate resilient horticulture and better breeding of livestock, and strategic plans for the public and private sectors, and there would be an opportunity for the public and private sectors to invest in the development of strategic projects, while better and more climate-resilient agribusiness and new livestock projects would be launched, so that better investment in the sector will be possible.
Mr Mazhar Furqan, Director Program, (SMEDA) said that Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority and the Sindh Enterprises Development Fund (SEDF) will provide financial support for business and facilitate business plans to youth as agri-entrepreneur.
He said that in most of the countries of the world where agro-industry is important and agribusiness has been given more priority, youth from our country have need to prioritize own business, which can empower the youth.
Guest speaker Sania Karim Soomro said SMEDA should also encourage the graduates to invest in agricultural products in shopping malls and major markets in Karachi and other cities, while there was need to understand the quality and export requirements for export of agricultural products as per requirement of CPEC.
The government should engage the youth in agribusiness and train them for agro-processing zones, cold storage, transportation and products in the cities of Sindh, as well as planning is needed to strengthen the supply chain with marketing, he added. Rao Muhammad Azhar, Director HEC, Feroza Soomro and others also addressed the seminar.
