Balochistan Minister for Agriculture Mir Asadullah Baloch on Friday said that free of charge rice seeds would be distributed among farmers from April 15 in five districts of Naseerabad division.
He expressed these views while addressing a meeting here. The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Umaid Ali Khokhar and other officials.
The minister said that the agriculture department of Balochistan government distributed free wheat seeds throughout the province last year, after which the supply of free seeds for rice, the main crop of autumn, would be ensured.
He said that due to the monsoon rains in Balochistan last year, the agriculture and livestock sectors suffered a lot of damage to gardens, crops, vegetables and agricultural lands, which was estimated to be around 300 billion rupees.
Balochistan Agriculture Department has launched a campaign for free supply of wheat seeds in September and October to give relief to the farmers and to get them back on their feet.
The minister said that despite severe financial difficulties, the provincial government made arrangements for the free supply of wheat seeds, the most important crop in the entire province for the revival of agriculture.
“Committees have been formed in each district under the leadership of the District Administration (DC) to ensure the distribution of wheat seeds in transparent manner”, he said. —APP
