The World Bank is collaborating with provincial agriculture departments to help farmers and the bank is willing to provide a fund of $22.2 million for the rehabilitation of flood-affected farmers through several projects.

This was said by John A. Roome, South Asia Regional Director for Sustainable Development at the World Bank, in a meeting with Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema. Both discussed the restoration and relief efforts in the regions affected by the floods and rains, with a focus on the farmer community and food security.

John A. Roome said that the World Bank will help Pakistan in this time of need through projects targeted to rehabilitate the affected community. Through the World Bank's Locust Emergency and Food Security (LEAFS) project, he agreed to support the recovery of the farming community in flood- and locust-affected areas.

Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema thanked the World Bank Group for its assistance at a time when a helping hand in recovery and rehabilitation is more needed than ever.

The South Asia Regional Director for Sustainable Development stated that he will ask the World Bank Group Board to increase support for Pakistan's recovery from the devastation caused by unprecedented floods.

Floods and rain, according to federal minister Tariq Bashir, have wreaked havoc on the agricultural industry and devastated the farming community. In order to restore normalcy, he continued, "at this crucial time, we are only focused on rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas."

According to Mr Cheema, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research intends to subsidize seeds and fertilizer to aid farmers who have been affected by the floods.

The Federal Government will, in accordance with the proposal, cost-share with the provinces to provide subsidized inputs to flood-affected farmers for the upcoming Rabi season. The Federal Cabinet may soon be presented with the proposed subsidy.

He said farmers in the disaster-affected areas will receive one fertilizer bag and subsidized wheat and edible oil seeds. The disbursement will be made through provincial governments and NDMA. He hoped that with this support, farmers would be able to stand up again.

The federal government is helping the provincial agriculture departments in every way it can during this national emergency, stated Cheema.

In a separate meeting, Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema directed the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to develop a comprehensive plan for delivering seeds and fertilizer to flood-affected areas by the end of this month. He also approved the department's request to hire technical staff to monitor locust outbreaks and diseases.

The recent floods and rains, according to Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema, have increased the likelihood of a locust attack. He directed that breeding and swarming areas be thoroughly inspected in order to take corrective action.

"The recruitment of surveillance personnel and the purchase of vehicles will strengthen the department's ability to respond quickly to any unwarranted situation," said Allah Ditta Abid, Director General of the Department of Plant Protection.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk