LAHORE: National Food Security and Research Minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan said that no new taxes would be imposed on onion crop and there would be no ban on its export.
“The government is determined to facilitate farmers and has neither any intention to impose ban on exports nor would it impose additional tax on onions,” he said.
He said that consumption of onions in the country was 20.84 million tonnes, adding that the crop production would be increased to cater to the domestic requirements.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formed a committee that would be chaired by Bosan to hold consultative meetings with the representatives of farmers and submit a report in six weeks.
He said that for ensuring overall economic development of the country, it was necessary to make agriculture profitable.
The minister said that the government was devising farmer-friendly policies to provide every possible assistance to farmers for the development of agriculture sector.
The minister said the agriculture scientists have been directed to equip the farmers with latest technology and introduce new varieties to help promote onion production in the country.