‘Govt taking steps to curb locusts’

MULTAN:

Punjab Agriculture Secretary Wasif Khursheed said that Punjab government was taking steps to eliminate locust attacks in the province.

“The government was also offering 60 per cent subsidy on installation of drip and sprinkler system. The system helps to save 75 per cent of water.”

Similarly, it also contributed in effective utilisation of fertilisers, he added. In a statement issued on Sunday, the secretary remarked that farmers should concentrate on their crops without any sort of fear about attack of locusts.

‘Locusts may cause loss of over Rs500b to economy’

“The government was utilising all possible resources to eliminate locust attacks. The agriculture department has initiated various projects for enhancing agricultural productivity. Punjab will be transformed into a hub of mechanised farming.”

The whole province will serve as food basket, the secretary further said. “We are also promoting organic farming. Our farming sector will surely flourish,” he claimed.

The agricultural products would be exported to the world after improving processing, packaging and effective marketing, he elaborated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2020.