Experts push for corporate farming

Industrialists and progressive growers have described corporate farming as a positive initiative aimed at revamping and promoting the agriculture sector of the country. They advocate for establishing market prices for seeds, urea, pesticides, and agricultural commodities, alongside providing subsidies to farmers. Speaking to The Express Tribune, they highlighted the adverse impact of rising production costs and fluctuating crop prices on farmers’ livelihoods and the government’s reputation, emphasising the need for immediate attention to mitigate these challenges. They stressed the necessity for a green revolution to drive agricultural development in Pakistan, advocating for strategic crop selection based on land suitability. With the ongoing decline in international wheat prices, they urged a shift towards cultivating commodities that Pakistan typically imports, such as palm oil, while also recommending a halt to sugarcane cultivation due to its high water consumption. Redirecting resources towards cultivating other valuable food crops, including cotton, was proposed as a proactive measure.