Core paddy area should be surveyed for provision of modern machinery is provided for the disposal of crop residuals. Government of Punjab is ensuring to promote pollution-free agriculture and in this regard, awareness is being provided to the farmers, These views were expressed by Provincial Minister Agriculture, Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi while presided over the meeting regarding the disposal of crop residues.
In this meeting, Secretary Agriculture Ahmad Aziz Tarar and the representatives of the Judicial Water and Environment Commission established for control of smog, Miss Hina Hafeezullah Ishaq and Syed. Kamal Ali Haider also participated.
Briefing the Provincial Minister of Agriculture on this occasion, Director General Agriculture Extension Dr. Anjum Ali said that 2269 cases of setting fire to paddy residue have been reported this year, while 3224 cases were reported last year.
This year there were incidents of paddy burning on 8,733 acres while last year it was 11,619. Under directions of Honourable Lahore High Court,702 FIRs registered against people who were found in setting fire to rice residues while last year it were 1503.
Agriculture department set up 22727 village volunteer committees to create awareness among the farmers and announcements are also being made from mosques. On this occasion, Director Agricultural Information, Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar, while giving a briefing, said that print, electronic and social media are also being used effectively for the awareness of the farmers.
So far, the Department of Agriculture has also distributed more than 0.1 million copies of literature for the awareness of the farmers. -Director General Field Muhammad Akram while briefing said that Department has so far provided 1075 happy seeders to the farmers. Agriculture Secretary Punjab Ahmad Aziz Tarar said that the solution to the destruction of paddy residues in fields is use of mechanization.
On the occasion, the Provincial Minister of Agriculture proposed to the Judicial Water and Environment Commission to fine those who set fire to paddy residue on the basis of land holding so that small farmers can get relief.
On this occasion, the representatives of the Judicial Commission said that they are also examining the amount of arsenic in water by visiting Kasur, Chichawatani and Sahiwal areas to ensure availability of clean water in these areas along with control of smog.
In the meeting Director General Agriculture Extension Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali. Director General Agriculture, Water Management Malik Muhammad Akram, Director General Agriculture Field Muhammad Akram, Director General Agriculture Research Muhammad Nawaz Khan Maikan, Director General Agriculture Crop Reporting Abdul Qayyum and Director Agricultural Information Punjab Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar and other senior officers participated.
