Balochistan farmers get 912 tractors on 50% subsidy

Official says training should be organised to develop agriculture sector on modern lines

QUETTA:

The provincial agriculture department has provided 912 tractors to the farmers on 50 per cent subsidy during the last two years under the Balochistan Green Tractor Scheme.

Balochistan Agricultural Engineering Department director general during a briefing said that a scheme of 200 bulldozers was included in the Public Sector Development Programme of fiscal year 2014-15 under which 96 bulldozers had been purchased so far and 10 to 15 more bulldozers would be purchased this year.

A laser land leveler scheme at a cost of Rs500 million has been included in the current year’s PSDP.

Under the scheme, laser land levelers would be provided to farmers on 50 per cent subsidy.

Balochistan Agriculture and Cooperative Secretary Sohailur Rehman Baloch directed the officials of the agriculture department to conduct research in the agriculture field which would eventually offer the farmers modern techniques to increase their yield.

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He said that all the training under planning in the agriculture sector should be organised keeping in view the current challenges to develop the sector on modern lines.

He also directed the officials to conduct research and surveys on a regular basis to boost agriculture production in the province to facilitate the farmers.

“The officers and staff of the department should enhance awareness among the farmers to develop agriculture on modern lines so that the farmers can increase their income by increasing agricultural production.”

During his visit to the Directorate General of Agricultural Engineering Department, Rehman said that all available resources should be utilised to revamp the sector on modern lines.

Rahman strictly instructed that all the officers of the department should ensure their presence at their places of posting and resolve the problems of the farmers.

He added that departmental action would be taken against the officers concerned in case they received complaints against any official.

He said that all the machinery in the agriculture department should be kept in working condition. “If there is any defect in the machinery, it should be repaired.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2023.