Sindh to issue licences for fertiliser, seed sale
The Sindh government has decided to enforce licensing conditions for the sale of agricultural pesticides, fertilisers and seeds, which will now be issued to individuals holding an agricultural degree.
Minister for Agriculture, Anti-Corruption, Sports and Youth Affairs Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar announced the decision, stating that graduates in agriculture would be supported financially for personal business ventures and startups, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
He made the remarks while attending a three-day workshop, organised by the Department of Agriculture, Sindh, at a research centre. The workshop is aimed at training 43 women in the use and maintenance of tractors and other modern agricultural machinery.
During conversation with journalists, Mahar emphasised the government's focus on empowering female students in the agriculture sector by providing them with relevant training.
"The goal of this workshop is to teach women methods of farming, including operating and repairing tractors. Additionally, women participating in this programme will have the opportunity to purchase tractors at subsidised rates," he said.
Mahar stated that women could also rent out tractors as a source of income.
He underscored the necessity of providing agricultural education along with training to farmers in Sindh. The minister also revealed that stringent action was being taken against companies selling counterfeit agricultural products.
In response to a journalist's question, the provincial minister stated that the amount of work done in Sindh was unparalleled and told critics from other provinces to introspect before making accusations.
He affirmed that his department was committed to its work and had adopted a zero-tolerance policy as officials failing to perform would face the music.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Secretary Rafiq Ahmed Buriro said that women trained to operate tractors were also provided with learner's driving licences.
He stressed the critical role of women in the agriculture sector and reported that daily action was being taken against those selling counterfeit agricultural products.
He stressed the need for modernising agriculture because state-of-the-art technology could help increase per-acre yield.