Fruitful initiatives: Peasants get training to boost growth

Cooperatives minister says CM has approved Rs2.37b for Cholistan’s uplift

BAHAWALPUR: Arid Zone Research Centre’s innovative endeavour to impart technical training to peasants would boost agriculture production in Cholistan and bring prosperity to thousands of poor people.

These views were expressed by Punjab Cooperatives Minister Iqbal Channar on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at the certificate-awarding ceremony to 250 peasants of Cholistan, who were trained by the Arid Zone Research Centre, Bahawalpur.

The programme aims to promote tunnel farming, kitchen gardening, sprinkling for irrigation and protecting agro-friendly insects.



“The innovative technical training programme for peasants of Cholistan is aimed at extending technical skills in agriculture by adopting modern scientific techniques,” said Channar, who also heads the Cholistan Development Authority.

He said the Punjab chief minister approved a special development programme amounting to Rs2.37 billion for Cholistan that would be utilised for developing new water reservoirs, construction of road network and modernising livestock sector through mobile veterinary services.

“The chief minister’s vision to establish state-of-the-art livestock facilities is turning into a reality as University of Animal Sciences is being established in Bahawalpur,” the minister added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2016.