ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textiles and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood Monday said that the federal government would assist the provincial government of Balochistan for development of agriculture and livestock sectors of the province.

“We want to evolve special policy for the development in agriculture, livestock and fisheries for value addition in these sector, he said in a meeting with Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan who was accompanied by the provincial cabinet ministers and members of the provincial assembly here at Balochistan House.

The Adviser said that Balochistan had huge potential in cotton production and the government was committed to give provide facilities and announce good price of cotton.

He also agreed to establish cold storage in Balochistan for preservation of fruits including apple, grapes and vegetable, adding that the surplus items would be exported to other countries to generate revenue. He said the government wanted to facilitate the provincial government through exports development fund for providing competitiveness through value addition in Balochistan province. The Chief Minster Balochistan said the province has huge potential in agriculture and livestock but it needed support from the federal government to increase production.

He said that low water level also affected the agriculture production in the province, where we need to evolve the strategy for modernize the irrigation system in Balochistan.

He said in Balochistan, we also need to enhance the tunnel farming facility for the farmer to increase the per- acre yield of cotton including other crops. He said with support of federal government, the province required a proper mechanism and strategy for increasing the value addition in agriculture sector. Jam Kamal Khan said that Vietnam and other countries are negotiating with Balochistan government to enhance cooperation in fisheries to introduce cage fishing in the province.

He demanded that the Ministry of Commerce should enhance the support with provincial government for development in agriculture and live stock sector. He also demanded for the regulation of trade with Iran to protect the agriculture items in the province.