CPA seeks supportive policies for sustained agri growth

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on Wednesday met in Chandigarh and gave a call for supportive policy framework for sustained agriculture growth.

Speaking on the role of parliamentary agricultural committees (PACs) in Asia, Tony Worthington of University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, said for Asian countries, agriculture could act as a catalyst of growth and poverty reduction.

Opposing the policy statement of G-20, focusing on capacity building and strengthening institutions, Worthington said that unless and until we do not work on grass-root individual extension work no permanent path for growth was possible.

Describing agriculture as engine of growth for Commonwealth countries he said that agriculture was the most labour intensive profession for Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Malaysia and it was imperative to focus on this sector to tackle the growing unemployment.

He said half the labour force of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and over 60 per cent population of India was engaged in agriculture sector and Commonwealth countries have to focus on increasing agricultural productivity to keep pace with increasing population growth in this sub-continent.

Giving a call for focusing on policy framework, Worthington called upon policy makers to focus on effective seed policies, supply and distribution of fertilisers, improvement in staple food market.