KARACHI – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is working on a plan to improve access of small farmers to credit, says Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah.
“Development of agriculture sector is a priority. More than 75 per cent of small farms are getting loans from unorganized sector on harsh conditions. SBP is working on a new project which will be introduced in the next two to three months. Under this project, small farmers’ access to finance will be improved”, he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Delfa Cattle Show at Karachi Expo Center as a special guest.
Deputy Governor said that the share of agricultural products in Pakistan’s imports was $10 billion. “We can decrease imports by $8-9 billion by developing agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors on modern lines”, he said, adding that facilitation of small farmers through credit and quality inputs could help increase productivity.
On this occasion, CEO Badar Expo Solution Zohair Naseer said that “The salient features of this cattle show are breeds contests, international breed display, and camel and horse show while it also provides B2B and B2C opportunities for animal purchasing.”
Patron in Chief of DALFA Haris Mithani said that “This show is to highlight the importance of the backbone sectors of the country. It will help support the national economic growth.”
He added that DALFA’s objective is to enhance the knowledge of farmers and skills by adopting modern techniques for value addition which in turn would contribute to the national GDP.
As many as 75 exhibitors and more than 3000 animals including camels, horses, fish, cows etc. while around 50 cattle farms are part of the show, which is a regular event to highlight investment opportunities and advance technology in the dairy, livestock, agriculture, and fisheries sectors of Pakistan.
