Sustainable agriculture: Shehbaz inaugurates wheat harvest campaign in Kasur

Says the rights of farmers will be protected at all costs.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated wheat harvest campaign at Fatehpur village, Kasur with traditional sickle and later by a harvester.

He congratulated the farmers and said PML-N government has protected growers’ interests and would continue to do so in the future as well. The chief minister said he was monitoring wheat procurement campaign and would not allow anyone to exploit farmers. He lauded farmers whose diligent work and devotion have produced yield of wheat this year additionally expanded farmers’ production per acre.

“Kisan Package worth billions of rupees introduced by the government has provided positive special subsidies to the farmers as a positive impact of which best wheat crop is acquired,” he said.

Shehbaz said the Punjab government has shared 50% of the expenses with the federal government scheme of providing subsidy on fertilisers. He said the Punjab government has also started implementation of interest-free loan scheme for farmers who claim minimum 12 acres, which he termed a landmark in the history as previously farmers were deprived of any such privilege since bank provided loans only to industrialists, investors and rich people.

He also ordered strict disciplinary action against individuals who attempt to violate farmers’ rights.

“The Punjab government has fixed a target to buy four million tonnes of wheat this year from local growers even though they have additional reserves of grain,” the CM said.

Responding a question regarding Panamagate scandal, Shehbaz said he and his party would respect verdict of the apex court.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2017.