Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) expressed concern on rising cost of agriculture inputs and demanded of authorities concerned to revisit agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for sustainable agriculture. “Agriculture is mainstay of country’s economy and strengthened economy is vital for promotion of peace in the country”, said Khalid Khokhar, the chairman Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, while holding press conference here on Sunday. Last year, agriculture sector registered growth of 6.5 percent. Similarly, industry witnessed upward trend by one percent. He lamented that more perks and privileges were given to Industry instead of Agriculture. Khalid Khokhar stated that electricity tariff was very high which was nearly Rs 60 per unit. He lamented suicide of a farmer and demanded of government to come up with measures to provide relief to the farming community. Farmers should be given level playing field in terms of inputs for agriculture. The PKI chairman remarked that that IPPs were extracting Rs 2200 billion annually. There were many production units which received billions of rupees without producing even a single unit of electricity. The IPPs owners have strong roots in all governments. He expressed wonder and stated that IPPs owners were not paying taxes against the income. He also expressed disappointment and mentioned that wheat stocks lying with the farmers were getting rusted. Responding to a query for conversion of barren land to fertile land, he however appreciated that stated that over 150,000 acres of barren land had been converted into fertile land. He stated that it was good efforts because the country’s population was on rise with rapid pace and the initiative was very much essential.