Punjab govt provides Pak Seeders, Rice Straw Shredders to farmers

Marriyum Aurangzeb says 5,000 Pak Seeders and 2,000 Rice Straw Shredders are being provided at a cost of Rs8 billion

The Punjab government on Friday provided Pak Seeders and Rice Straw Shredders to farmers at a ceremony held at Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku.

On this occasion, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the promise made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to the farmers is being fulfilled today.

She said that many big cities, including the Lahore division, face problems due to smog. “The causes of smog include the burning of paddy residue, which is why 5,000 Pak Seeders and 2,000 Rice Straw Shredders are being provided to farmers in 21 districts of the province at a cost of 8 billion rupees,” she added.

She said that the government is taking practical steps for the welfare of farmers. In this regard, she added that the implementation of the “Transforming Punjab Agriculture” plan of 400 billion rupees is ongoing, under which several measures are being taken to reduce the production cost for farmers.

“No substantial work was done for the development of agriculture in the previous regime, due to which the plight of the farmers is in dire straits. The present government will use all possible resources for the welfare of farmers. It is the dream of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to provide Super Seeders and Shredders to all farmers in Punjab,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that the agriculture sector is at the top of the government's priorities.

He said that under the Punjab CM's Transforming Punjab Agriculture Programme, Kissan Cards are being issued soon to provide interest-free loans of Rs150 billion.

Apart from this, he added that 7,300 watercourses are being paved at a cost of 80 billion rupees. “Under this programme, modern agricultural machinery and equipment will be provided to farmers at a cost of 12 billion rupees. The present government is implementing a clear road map for the development of farmers, the fruits of which will start to be reaped soon,” Ashiq said.

Punjab Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahu said that the agriculture department has organised a transparent balloting in 21 districts today under the smog control programme.

“More than 10,000 applications were received, under which 7,000 lucky farmers will be transparently provided with advanced agricultural machinery that will facilitate the disposal of paddy residue and help control smog.”

A large number of senior officers from the agriculture department and farmers participated in the event.