Staff Reporter Rawalpindi
Under the direction of Punjab Government Agricultural Task Force (ATF) Punjab is taking rapid action against fake pesticides and fertilizers manufacturing factories and Dealers.
This was said by Rana Ali Arshad Additional Secretary Agriculture (Task Force) Punjab while chairing the progress review meeting of Agricultural Task Force Committee meeting held in Rawalpindi.
He said that in short period of two and half period Agricultural task Force has taken record breaking achievements by taking action against the fake fertilizers and agricultural pesticides.
He added that about 40 factories involved in manufacturing of fake fertilizers and pesticides were sealed and legal actions were taken.
More than two thousand people were arrested who were involved in the business of fake fertil-izers and pesticides.
He added that Agriculture Task Force Punjab has established zero cost complaint system. Farmer can easily sent complain on help line No. 0300-2955539 by sending SMS, voice message or video call.
Action is being taken against this complaint within 24 hours. Rana Ali Arshad further said that due to policies of Government of the Punjab and availability of quality inputs bumper crop of Wheat, Rice, Sugarcane, Maize, Po-tato, Moong bean and Sesame was obtained last year.
Significant increase in production of Wheat was 13.7 per-cent, 26.9 percent in Sugarcane, 30 percent in Maize, 21 percent in Potato, 33.2 percent significant increase in Rice was noticed.
He further added that there is no shortage of agricultural inputs in the province. On the occasion Sajjad Haider Director Agriculture (Ext.) Rawalpindi Division told that fine of Rs. 714500 has been imposed to fertilizer dealers on over pricing this year. Dr. Khizar Hayat Assistant Director Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides has disposed off the fake Agriculture pesticide of worth Rs. 107500 and FIR’s has been registered against 17 persons involved in fake pesticides business during this year.
Rana Ali Arshad Additional Secretary Agriculture (Task Force) Punjab also visited the ISO Certified Laboratory for Soil and Water Testing Rawalpindi. He also planted a tree sapling there.
