Farm mechanization plan okayed

1,200 watercourses to be paved under farmer prosperity scheme

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved several schemes aimed at fostering prosperity of the farmers, including pavement of watercourses, farm mechanisation, focus on research and development for quality seeds and the provision of solar tube wells.

She approved Green Punjab…Prosperous Farmers Programme while chairing a meeting on the development of the agriculture sector in the province.

Initially, 1,200 watercourses will be paved at a cost of Rs10 billion. The chief minister issued directives to pave and rehabilitate all watercourses in Punjab in the next five years.

Under the farm mechanisation programme, 56 types of agricultural machinery along with 1,000 laser levelers will be purchased and given to the farmers on 60 per cent subsidy within three months. Under the two-year mechanisation plan, 23,000 agricultural implements and 2,280 laser land levelers will be given at a cost of Rs13.4 billion.

Farmers with land holding of up to 25 acres will be provided solar systems in two years.

Giving a detailed briefing on various projects for the uplift of the sector, the provincial agriculture secretary presented a plan to increase seed production from 400,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes.

A proposal to cultivate soybean seed on 100,000 acres in collaboration with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad was also discussed in the meeting.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed that there was 30 to 37% tax and duty on the import of high-tech agricultural machinery.

She pledged to approach the federal government to get the taxes and duties waived off on the import of high-tech machinery for the development of agriculture in the province.

She also agreed to contact the federal government to exempt the rice straw shredder machine from tax to curb smog and prevent crop residue burning.

The agriculture secretary said Pakistan needs 29 million tonnes of wheat and Punjab produces 26 million tonnes. However, 12% wheat and 18% rice yield have decreased due to manual sowing.

The chief minister was apprised that 1.75 million tonnes of seeds are required annually in the country.

Due to the unavailability of quality seeds, those worth Rs50 billion are imported annually.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, former senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, secretary of finance, president of the Bank of Punjab and other senior officers concerned attended the meeting.

Pink salt

The participants of a meeting on mines and minerals projects decided to lodge a case with NAB regarding illegal allotment related to pink rock salt. They also agreed on a proposal to ban the export of the pink rock salt in the raw form along with establishing a value-added industry from the revenue accrued from it.

Presiding over the meeting, the CM sought a comprehensive plan for the value-added product, adding that latest technology should be employed to overcome corruption in the department.

She also sought a plan to launch a raw iron mining project in Chiniot within a week approved funds worth Rs250 million to initiate labour welfare projects of the Punjab Mines and Minerals Department.

She stated that international investors would also be invited in the auction of mines. “We will not let national assets be sold at a low price and the process would only be undertaken through open auction,” she maintained.

“We will generate opportunities for international investors and bring foreign direct investment in the province,” she added.

She said funds for 18 development schemes of the department would be provided.

The CM ordered prompt steps for the recovery of Rs4 billion arrears from the contractors who had excavated limestone from the Margalla Hills and also sought a plan to increase the income of the department.

She directed the department to ensure implementation of the laws for the safety of labourers working in the mines.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2024.