LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan reviewed different initiatives in agriculture sector in the province including provision of facilities and training to farmers, use of technology to enhance production and profitability of commodities, public-private partnership and internship programme for agri graduates, at a meeting held at Agriculture Department here on Wednesday.
Punjab Minister for Agriculture Noaman Ahmad Langrial also attended the meeting that took important decisions about improving water management and administrative affairs of fruits and vegetable markets, besides increasing production of agricultural commodities like pulses, honey, Tulsi, Saunf, Kalvanji, Ispaghul, and Mashrooms.
The chief secretary ordered the agriculture department to take concrete steps for executing the prime minister’s special package so that its benefits could reach farmers as well as general public.
He also issued directions regarding measures to fight locusts’ attack in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, saying that help of the federal government would be sought for carrying out aerial spray in the affected area.
Agriculture Secretary Wasif Khursheed briefed the meeting that initially an internship programme was being started at a cost of Rs 200 million for agri graduates of 10 tehsils, who would be paid a stipend of Rs 35,000 each per month. These interns would impart training to farmers about high-value agriculture and methods to enhance profitability, he added.
The chief secretary was informed that a Rs 25 million project has been finalized to enhance honey production through use of modern technologies. The Agriculture secretary told the meeting that at present 104 fruits and vegetable markets were fully functional in the province, adding that his department had established 32 farmers’ platforms in model bazaars and 50 in these fruits and vegetables markets, where 169,845 maunds of commodities have been sold and as many as 1,685,573 consumers have been benefited.
He said that a campaign against adulteration in pesticides and fertilizers was underway in the province. 4095 raids have been conducted so far, sealing 15 factories and confiscating adulterated pesticides and fertilizers of worth Rs 168 million.
Cases against 624 adulterators have also been registered, besides imposition of a fine of Rs 24 million, he maintained.
The chief secretary assured the minister that all relevant departments would extend full cooperation for initiatives in agriculture sector so that the government’s policy on agriculture could be implemented.