Staff Reporter
Lahore
Punjab Government is soon launching an ambitious over Rs 6 billion project to promote mechanization, usage of certified seed and responsible application of pesticides in accordance with the quantity prescribed by the agricultural experts.
Under this project, farmers will be given 50 per cent subsidy on purchase of certified rice seed and at present, the department is pre-qualifying the seed companies in this regard. It is a complete package being given by the government to enhance the productivity of the rice sector. The project is also aimed at to promote the use of transplanters for increasing plant population in rice fields and extending subsidy on other agricultural implements, said the Director Agriculture (Extension) Gujranwala Javed Iqbal while speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony.
Syngenta Pakistan and Atlas Foods (Pvt) limited signed the said MoU) to impart training to rice growers regarding the need-based application of pesticides. The training will create awareness among the farmers to avoid excessive usage of pesticide. Managing Director & CU Head Syngenta Pakistan Kazim Hasnain and CEO Atlas Foods Sami Ullah Naeem inked the document on behalf of their respective organizations.
Javed Iqbal said that the government would bear 50 per cent of the cost on the usage of different types of machinery such as transplanters, nursery raising machines, DSR-drill, rice straw choppers, rotavators and power sprayers. ‘It is aimed at to convert this sector from the present status of tractorization into real mechanization,’ he added.
Atlas Foods (Pvt) Limited CEO Sami Ullah Naeem said that 55 per cent of Pakistan economy rely on agriculture and rice crop is one of the most important crops, which is earning precious foreign exchange for the country.
