secondhand tractor imports harm the local economy.
Stakeholders ask the government to rethink the import decision while applauding the Kissan Package.
Farmers and other agriculture industry players have praised the Kissan Package, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced, calling it a step in the right direction for the growth of the agricultural economy. Shahzad Ali Malik, chairman of the Pakistan Hi-tech Hybrid Seed Association, stated that the Rs1.8 trillion mega package would increase agriculture production, give free seeds to farmers affected by floods, drive down fertiliser prices, and provide subsidised electricity for agricultural tube wells all over the nation.
In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has disrupted food and gas supplies and increased the misery of millions of people worldwide, especially in South Asia, he remarked, “This historical agriculture package was the need of the hour.” Malik emphasised how recent floods had destroyed standing crops, killed millions of cattle, and left farmers without a means of support. “We applaud the PM’s timely and wise decision, which will not only boost agricultural output but also assist flood-affected residents in rebuilding and sowing new crops to meet the rising demand for basic foods.”
He praised the top priority given to the agricultural sector, saying that it was “a positive step” to offer interest-free loans to poor farmers, especially in the flood-affected arable areas, at their doorsteps. Malik expressed the hope that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will secure both the availability of fertiliser at lower costs and the prompt execution of the PM package. He advised the government to solely provide farmers with high-tech hybrid seeds in order to boost their productivity and profitability.
The president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Kashif Anwar, welcomed the Kissan Package and expressed hope that it would pave the way for a revolution in the agricultural industry. He continued, “Provision of electricity at Rs13 per unit, loans for solar tube wells, Rs10 billion for SMEs, and various other incentives are steps in the right direction and will help revive the agriculture sector. However, he voiced concerns over the government’s approval of the import of old tractors and urged them to be reconsidered because they would have a negative impact on the domestic tractor market.
In addition to being a significant source of tax revenue for the government, local manufacturers employ more than 1 million people. He argued that the government should reconsider its choice because old cars may spread pollutants.
