Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has called for ensuring issuance of loans as soon as possible to farmers applying for them.
Co-chairing a meeting along with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to review challenges of agriculture in Punjab, she instructed the agriculture department to devise a foolproof system of monitoring and feedback for the loan scheme.
It was decided in the meeting that Rs150 billion worth of loans will be given to farmers for the Rabi and Kharif crops.
The chief minister gave approval in-principle of the recruitment of agriculture officers and field assistants against vacant posts. She called for adherence to merit in the recruitment process.
She approved the establishment of a research endowment fund worth Rs500 million for the Ayub Research Centre. Moreover, it was decided to ensure coordination of the sub-institutions of the department for research, better performance and good governance.
It was also decided in the meeting that the Fertiliser and Pesticide Acts would be amended.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said, “The lack of quality seeds even after the lapse of four decades is a matter of grave concern.”
He added, “Effective steps should be taken to plug the wastage of 37MAF of water wastage in Punjab.” He emphasised the need to use modern methods of irrigation for the purpose.
The agriculture secretary said 1.7MAF of water could be saved by paving 7,300 water courses.
A proposal to return rainwater to the ground by reverse pumping to improve groundwater levels was also reviewed in the meeting.
Measures to increase the rate of farm mechanisation in the province from 35 to 60 per cent were also discussed.
Nawaz Sharif urged the formulation of simple eligibility criteria for the farmers to avail loans.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2024.
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