President Asif Ali Zardari, on Thursday, paying tribute to Pakistan’s farmers on the occasion of World Farmers’ Day, called for taking concrete measures to ensure farmers’ welfare, promote modern agricultural technology, and improve access to markets in the country.

He stressed that targets of food security, sustainable development, and prosperity can only be achieved through strengthening the agricultural sector.

He said Pakistan’s farmer was the backbone of the national economy, food self-sufficiency, and rural development.

Being from a family associated with agriculture, I fully understand the hard work, achievements, and challenges faced by farmers, he said, adding that agriculture was a source of livelihood for millions of families in Pakistan and an important pillar of national development.

Water scarcity, climate change, and rising agricultural input costs are major challenges for Pakistani farmers, the president added.