Buzdar calls for agriculture boost

The CM directed the authorities to take action against those who produce and sale spurious pesticides.

LAHORE:  

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said farmers would be facilitated to promote the agriculture sector and more than Rs2 billion have been allocated for drip irrigation systems in the province.

Buzdar expressed these views while presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Office on Tuesday. The performance and future roadmap of agriculture, food, revenue, forest and wildlife departments were reviewed.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said innovative programmes would be launched to increase agri-productivity and help enhance the income of farmers. He said a huge sum of Rs2 billion had been allocated for drip irrigation systems and farmers would be provide certified cotton seeds to improve cotton production. He said a subsidy would be given for certified cotton seeds and the sale of unpacked seeds would be banned.

The CM directed authorities to take action against those who produce and sell spurious pesticides. “The farmers will be facilitated for sowing sunflower, olives and canola and special measures will also be taken for increasing the production of oil-seed crops. He said the Punjab government has launched crops insurance, adding that its target should be achieved within the given timeframe.

“A comprehensive plan of wheat procurement should be devised for the current year,” he added. The chief minister said the cabinet committee should be constituted for upcoming wheat procurement campaign and this committee would prepare necessary monitoring mechanism.

He said that the tree plantation campaign should be made a success and directed the detail of saplings planted under the campaign should be provided to him. He also expressed displeasure over planting less number of trees in DG Khan and sought a report from the Secretary Forests in this regard.

The meeting also decided to devise a comprehensive strategy to promote hatchery in the province. Meanwhile, a pilot project would also be devised for the production of shrimps. The chief minister said Punjab has a tremendous potential of fish and shrimp production and added that a fish health lab will also be established.