Jun 28, Kathmandu- Pakistan's Minister of National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has said that the country is focusing on best agricultural practices to increase productivity and food security.

Stating that food security is a major global challenge at present, he said that Pakistan has built the backbone of the national economy by paying special attention to agriculture.

He said that efforts are being made to include research and modern technology in the agricultural sector to increase production, keeping in mind the cooperation with countries including China especially in efforts to improve agricultural production and technology transfer.

He mentioned that there is a plan to send students to China to teach sheep and double the production.

He also said that many initiatives have been taken for farmers including provision of subsidies and funds. He promised on the occasion that a fixed price would be guaranteed for crop production and the balance would be paid to the farmers.

He said that a new scheme is underway by providing loans of billions of rupees to the farmers, including making barren land arable and bringing more land under cultivation.