Agriculture commission needed, says CM

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday protection of farmers’ interest and promotion of agriculture were a priority of the government.

He said no effort would be spared in this regard. He said timely payments to sugarcane growers must be ensured.

He was addressing a meeting via video link.

Several proposals for raising agricultural production and solving farmers’ problems were discussed in the meeting.

It was decided that a campaign against manufacturers and sellers of spurious pesticides and fertilizers should be launched.

It was decided that a farmer’s conference would be organised at the end of September.

The chief minister said agriculture was the backbone of the economy.

“We must plan for the short-term, the medium-term and the long-term,” he said. He said farmers should benefit from modern agricultural practices and research.  He said the Extension Wing of the Agriculture Department must play an effective role.

He said trade in spurious pesticides must be stopped. Sharif said his government had taken steps to control trade of spurious agricultural products since 1998.

The chief minister said sugar mills not making timely payments should be strictly dealt with strictly.  Sharif said a provincial agriculture commission could be a good idea.

“Government representatives, farmers and agriculture experts should be included in the commission,” he said.

He said members of the commission should be capable of resolving problems in the agriculture sector. He said use of technology was imperative for enhancing agricultural production.

The agriculture secretary gave a briefing on various projects undertaken by the government.

Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Yawar Zaman and Ayesha Ghaus Pasha were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2015.