Govt to distribute certified wheat seeds

Move aimed at achieving production of 30 million tons of the commodity

ISLAMABAD:

The government will provide high-yielding certified wheat seed varieties to one million farmers during the current Rabi sowing season in a bid to achieve production of 30 million tons of wheat, said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said that besides provision of subsidised seeds, the leadership would also provide a subsidy of Rs20 billion on phosphatic fertiliser aimed at enhancing the per acre crop output.

He added that the initiative would ensure surplus production and tackle the growing demand for grains.

“The output of grains jumped 18% during the first three years of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government,” he revealed.

According to him, a record sugarcane output has been achieved and sugar production is expected to reach 9 million tons against the local requirement of 6.5 million tons.

He declared that sugar reserves would be maintained for 120 days to keep prices of the sweetener under control.

Sindh matches wheat rate with Punjab

“The government is ensuring a proper rate of return to farmers and encouraging them financially to achieve higher yields of different crops,” he said. “The leadership is providing subsidy on 12 agricultural inputs.”

He pointed out that a complaint cell was also established to address the issues and problems faced by the farming community and over 122 officers had been deputed to resolve the problems of farmers in an appropriate manner.

The special assistant highlighted that interest-free loans under the Kamyab Pakistan Programme were being offered to the farmers holding less than 12 acres of land and they could borrow up to Rs350,000 to purchase inputs and machinery.

Cheema stated that the farmers were also eligible for interest-free loans of Rs500,000 for livestock farming.

Talking about the crop insurance scheme introduced by the government, he said that it would be initiated in four districts initially as highly experienced foreign companies were taken on board to protect the farmers from possible crop losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2021.

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