SBI chair asks IBA Sukkur to train farmers

SUKKUR: Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) Chairperson Naheed Memon has suggested the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur to introduce 6-8 month vocational programmes for farmers to train them about world standards and modern technologies.

She appreciated the efforts of IBA Sukkur and Agriculture University of Faisalabad (AUF) for starting a joint degree programme while addressing an agri-business seminar at the IBA on Wednesday.

The Sindh government has taken a revolutionary step by establishing the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) to promote agriculture, and the low mark-up loans with easy instalments would help develop the sector further, she said.

“It is essential to develop our agriculture sector according to the market necessities. For this, we will have to focus on research and future planning, and all the stake holders are required to play their mutual role in this regard,” she added.

AUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the present irrigation system was now useless and wasted water, and it was necessary to plan what is needed in this connection. For the development of the agriculture sector, he said it was important to initiate a comprehensive mechanism before and after cultivation of all crops.

Commissioner Sukkur Division Mohammad Abbas Baloch said the Sindh government had taken another revolutionary step for the promotion of the agriculture sector by establishing Khairpur Special Economic Zone (KSEZ). The zone would not only create employment opportunities in Sukkur, but benefit growers throughout the province.

Baloch informed that during the date crop season this year, two cold storage units at KSEZ would begin work, allowing to maintain world standards for packaging and store keeping. Other industries would also start working at KSEZ, he added.

He demanded from the federal government to release funds for the announced scheme of Sukkur Dry Port, which was a necessity for the region.

SEDF Managing Director Mehboob-ul-Haq announced that a modern seed laboratory to introduce tissue culture and new crop commodities in the agriculture sector would be established next year.