Revolution: ‘New cotton seeds being considered to double yield’

Governor says govt to transform farming through sustainable development.

FAISALABAD:

Punjab Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar on Friday said the government was considering introducing new cotton seeds to take the yield from 13 million bales to 26 million bales.

He was addressing a ceremony organized at Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) to celebrate Dr Norman E Borlaug’s 100th birth anniversary and commemorating 50 years of Pakistan-US cooperation in Agriculture.

The governor said Borlaug had served humanity well and greatly helped alleviate hunger and poverty through development of input-responsive semi-dwarf wheat varieties.

He said, “Pakistan is among the top 10 producers of wheat in the world.”



He said the government was striving for another farming revolution through sustainable development.

Jeanie Borlaug Laube, Borlaug’s daughter was also present.

She said her father was a great admirer of Pakistani scientists.

“He trained many Pakistani scientists and farmers at CIMMYT in Mexico and with collaborative efforts and international co-operation, Pakistan increased its wheat production considerably and achieved self-sufficiency,” she said.

E-police station inaugurated

Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar on Friday inaugurated an e-police station at D-Ground established at an estimated cost of Rs2.1 million.

Addressing the inauguration, the governor said e-police station would issue driving licences, character certificates, police verification certificates and details of stolen and recovered vehicles in police custody.

He appreciated the cooperation of private companies with the government in this regard.

MNA Chaudhary Shahbaz Babar, MPAs Rai Usman Kharl, Haji Khalid Saeed, Mian Tahir Jamil, Mrs Shahid Iqbal Awan, RPO Muhammad Nawaz Warraich and CPO Dr Haider Ashraf were also present.

‘Education is government’s top priority’

Governor Muhammad Sarwar on Friday said the government was mobilising resources for promotion of education.

He was addressing an annual prize distribution ceremony at the Educators Police Public High School on Jail Road.

MNA Chuadhary Shahbaz Babar, MPAs Rai Usman Kharl, Haji Khalid Saeed, Mian Tahir Jamil, RPO Muhammad Nawaz Warraich, CPO Dr Haider Ashraf and DCO Noorul Amin Mengal were also present.

The governor said promotion of education was imperative for social and economic development of a country, adding that only educated nations had ruled the world.

He said education budget would be double in the next fiscal year.

The governor lauded steps taken by Faisalabad police for welfare of jawans and for maintaining law and order.

Principal Sadia Saqib in her welcome address said 1,010 students including children of 458 police officers and other staff were enrolled at the school.

She said 43 orphans were also studying there and were being provided free education, books, uniforms and other facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2014.