In a relief to Basmati rice- growers in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said the government will provide subsidy to farmers following sliding global prices.
He was chairing a meeting regarding procurement of Basmati rice at the Prime Minister's House here.
According to a government statement, Sharif expressed concern over the sliding Basmati rice price due to international factors.
"(He) directed the Ministries of Finance and Food Security to submit a proposal for providing support to the grower by providing suitable subsidy," it said.
Sharif asked the Ministry of Food Security to consult provincial governments and develop a system so that direct benefit of the subsidy goes to the peasants and not the middleman.
The Prime Minister directed the ministries to come up with a plan within six weeks through which cost of agricultural inputs can be brought down to make farmers comfortable in the local market and competitive in the international market.
He also directed them to submit a proposal regarding provision of solar panels and soft loans for installation of tube-wells for agriculture sector.
Pakistan and India are major Basmati exporters.
