ISLAMABAD  - The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFSR) has directed Ministry of NFSR to formulate the policy to protect the interests of farmers across the country.Chairing the meeting of committee, Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah said that the agriculture sector was playing a pivotal role in the growth of the economy of the country.“The production of major crops is low as compared to South Asian countries and it can be increased only by facilitating the farmers,” he said, adding “timely availability of seeds, fertilizers, water and basic inputs will make ensure the rise in the production.”Moreover, the short-term and long-term strategy will make it possible and help to achieve a desired goals in the agriculture sector, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Hari Ram said, the ministry should take steps to improve the pesticide quality which is also input needed for crops. Pakistan is agriculture country but unfortunately, the sector is continuously ignored and it must be focused, he added.The committee also directed all attached departments of ministry to present their detailed report on last 4 years performance in the next meeting.Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO), Major General M. Tauqeer Ahmad told the committee that PASSCO had reserves of 0.5 million tons and it maintained SAARC Food Bank reserve of 40,000 tons wheat stocks. The capacity of PASSCO for storage is 431000 tons and 70 per cent of stocks is always in open air due to non-availability of storage, he added.“Islamic Bank has agreed to give loan to PASSCO for constructing Go-down  for the storage of wheat and its capacity will be 6 million tons.