A high-level meeting convened under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and once again attended by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, focused on addressing the challenges confronting the agriculture sector in the province.
The meeting, held to discuss agricultural issues, emphasized the need to overcome persistent hurdles hindering the sector's progress.
During the meeting, the agriculture secretary provided a comprehensive briefing, shedding light on the prevailing challenges faced by Punjab's agriculture. One significant concern highlighted by Nawaz Sharif was the longstanding issue of inadequate quality seeds despite the passage of four decades.
In addition to seed quality, attention was drawn towards the efficient utilization of water resources in Punjab. Nawaz Sharif stressed the importance of conserving water, advocating for the preservation of 37 million area feet of water from wastage. He underscored the necessity of adopting modern irrigation techniques to optimize water usage, emphasizing the potential to save 1.7 million acre feet of water through the implementation of 7,300 tube wells.
Furthermore, the meeting deliberated on financial support for farmers, with a proposal to allocate a loan of Rs150 billion for Rabi and Kharif crops. Nawaz Sharif emphasized the need for a simplified loan eligibility procedure, ensuring swift issuance of loans to farmers upon application.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of establishing a robust monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of the loan scheme. Additionally, the meeting approved a pilot project for the recruitment of agriculture officers and field assistants to enhance agricultural services at the grassroots level.
Moreover, plans were outlined to establish model agriculture centers in each district to facilitate farmers and improve agricultural practices. The meeting also resolved to amend the Fertilizer and Pesticide Act to enhance regulatory mechanisms in the agriculture sector.
The collective decisions taken during the meeting reflect the government's commitment to revitalizing the agriculture sector in Punjab and ensuring the welfare of farmers.
