Efforts of the Punjab government bore fruit under the leadership of Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi. Approximately cotton on more than 45 lac acre land has been cultivated after ten years in Punjab and cotton sowing target on 50 lac acre land by 15th June will be achieved. Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi presided over a meeting at CM Office in which cotton sowing report was presented to him.
Mohsin Naqvi expressed satisfaction over increase in the cotton under cultivation land and directed to undertake effective management to yield maximum cotton production.
Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi ordered to launch a vigorous crackdown for the eradication of fake agricultural medicines across the province and directed the Inspector General of Police to oversee crackdown on fake pesticides and hold a meeting in this regard daily. It was principally decided to establish stalls and centres to ensure provision of quality agricultural medicines. Mohsin Naqvi disclosed that monitoring cells will be set up to oversee matters pertaining to cotton in three divisions. A Command and Control Centre will be established in the office of Additional Secretary Agriculture (South Punjab).Mohsin Naqvi underscored that we will ensure fair price payment to the cotton cultivators in Punjab.
Mohsin Naqvi outlined that not only farmers will be prosperous with the increase of cotton under cultivation land but will save precious foreign exchange as well. Mohsin Naqvi stated that Secretary Agriculture, Commissioners and the whole team deserve congratulation and commendation on achieving cotton cultivation target.
It was informed during the briefing that 100 percent cotton sowing target has been achieved in Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Sargodha while 96 percent cotton sowing target in Multan and 92 percent cotton sowing target in Bahawalpur and DG Khan has been achieved.
Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board while giving a briefing informed that cotton farmers registration and online reporting system is being formulated. Field Assistants will oversee cotton cultivation and perform advisory services through the mobile app.
Geo-tagging of farmers cultivating cotton verified seed can be done and prompt measures can be taken for the eradication of caterpillars on the cotton fields.
Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretaries of Irrigation, Livestock, Food, Finance, Commissioner Lahore division, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board and officials of Punjab Land Record Authority, Punjab Bank and Punjab Board of Investment and Trade attended the meeting.
Fawad Mukhtar, Secretary General APTMA Shahid Sattar and the concerned participated in the meeting via zoom while Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Agriculture (South Punjab), Commissioners, RPOs and other Agriculture experts participated in the meeting via video link.
