Minister promises to address farmers’ issues

Says hard work of farmers will drive country towards prosperity

LAHORE:

Minister of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir has said the government was planning to provide soft-term loans, subsidised solar energy to farmers to address basic problems such as access to fertiliser, irrigation water at tail ends and quality seed.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of farmers from the Sargodha division to assure them of the government's efforts to address their problems.

Flanked by Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Shoaib, Dr Nasir expressed the government's belief that the hard work of farmers will drive the country towards economic prosperity and self-reliance.

The minister stated that the government would provide soft-term loans and subsidised solar energy to farmers in Punjab.

He also stressed the resolution of basic issues of growers such as provision of fertiliser at fixed rates, irrigation water at tail ends, and quality seed.

The government has also allocated Rs1 billion for cotton research and has established a task force to improve access to markets and increase agricultural production.

During the meeting, farmers raised issues such as the non-availability of fertilizer, poor roads to markets, shortage of irrigation water, and low wheat prices.

The minister assured the farmers that he would present their suggestions to the high-ups.

The meeting was attended by the DC, ADCR, and other revenue officers. After the meeting, the farmers posed for photos with the health minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2023.