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ADB approves $350 m for agri sector development
 ISLAMABAD-Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Dec 13, 2001
approved a loan of $ 350 million for the development of
Pakistan's agriculture sector.
The primary objective of the agriculture sector programme
loan-II is to help improve agriculture productivity and
profitability, ADB sources said here Thursday.
The objectives of the loan includes specific reform measures
to promote efficient markets for the major commodities,
including wheat, cotton, rice, sugar, fertilizer and seeds;
and strengthen support services in small farmer extension and
training, research and regulation to improve quality.
The programme, sources further said will promote pro-poor
reforms to expand the role of the private sector through
deregulation, liberalization and privatization affecting many
public input supply and output marketing enterprises that now
operate in the agriculture sector.
The resultant sectoral efficiency would minimize and
eventually eliminate the drag on the country's fiscal
resources. A technical assistance loan will also be provided
to assist the government in policy advice and program,
coordination; improving efficiency of commodity markets; small
farmer extension,research and safety nets; and reorganization
and restructuring of relevant state-owned enterprises.
The programme span will be five years and the first tranche of
$ 125 million is expected to be disbursed as soon as
compliance measures are met, the sources added.
December 13, 2001
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