Action against fake pesticides expedited
PHOTO: AFP
Divisional Commissioner Madam Silwat Saeed directed agriculture officers to expedite crackdowns against spurious pesticides and fertilisers.
Chairing a meeting of the divisional agriculture advisory committee on Thursday, she said that the agriculture sector played a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy. Therefore, the provision of quality fertilisers and pesticides to the farming community is imperative to increase productivity.
She said that spurious pesticides and fertilisers not only hinder crop production but also waste the labour of growers, in addition to inflicting colossal financial losses on them. Therefore, it was the utmost duty of agriculture officers to ensure the provision of quality fertilizers and pesticides by taking strict action against the manufacturing, sale and storage of spurious and adulterated products.
The Commissioner added that mafias were also involved in creating artificial storages of pesticides and fertilizers to mint money.
Such elements would be dealt with harshly, she affirmed. She also directed agriculture officers to adopt a zero tolerance policy against the profiteering and illegal hoarding of fertilizers and pesticides, so that farmers could purchase these commodities at appropriate fixed rates.
She directed field staff to strengthen their relations with the farming community to address their issues any delay.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2023.