RAWALPINDI: Food and Agriculture Minister Lt-Gent K.M. Shaikh yesterday announced that the government was appointing a committee to consider introduction of a fixed land tax to replace the present system of land revenue to provide greater incentive for agricultural production.
The recommendations of the high-powered Food and Agriculture Commission for improving the system of cultivation on modern lines so as to achieve maximum yield from the land were announced by the minister yesterday. He was confident that these recommendations, when implemented, would re-orientate the agricultural system.
The nine-man commission, headed by the West Pakistan Governor Malik Amir Mohammad Khan, made detailed study of the problems connected with land production and suggested changes in the system of cultivation.
Most important of these recommendations are the setting up of Agricultural Development Corporations in each province and the introduction of cooperative farming.
In addition, the commission has also recommended the establishment of an Agricultural Scientific Research Council, better irrigation facilities, Price Stabilisation Board, fixed land tax on zonal basis and re-examination of incidence of export duties on agricultural produce.
The major portion of the recommendations has been accepted by the government with modifications, while the rest are under scrutiny at different levels.
General Sheikh told a press conference that the proposed Agricultural Development Corporations which are expected to come into existence from the next financial year, will have two wings — the supply wing and the field wing.
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