The high-level meeting convened under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and again attended by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif focused on addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector in the province.
The meeting, which was held to discuss agricultural issues, highlighted the need to overcome persistent obstacles to the progress of the sector.
During the meeting, the Agriculture Minister gave a comprehensive briefing that shed light on the prevailing challenges faced by Punjabi agriculture. One of the significant concerns raised by Nawaz Sharif was the long-standing problem of inadequate seed quality despite the passing of four decades.
Apart from seed quality, the focus was on efficient use of water resources in Punjab. Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of water conservation and advocated the protection of 37 million feet of water from wastage. He emphasized the need to adopt modern irrigation techniques to optimize water use and highlighted the potential to save 1.7 million acres of water through the implementation of 7,300 tube wells.
The meeting also discussed financial support to farmers with a proposal to allocate Rs 150 billion loan for Rabi and Kharif crops. Nawaz Sharif emphasized the need for a streamlined loan eligibility procedure that would ensure prompt provision of loans to farmers on application.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of creating a strong monitoring and feedback mechanism to ensure effective implementation of the loan scheme. In addition, the meeting approved a pilot project to recruit agricultural officers and field assistants to improve agricultural services at the local level.
In addition, plans have been outlined to set up model agricultural centers in each district to facilitate farmers and improve agricultural practices. The meeting also decided to amend the Fertilizers and Pesticides Act to strengthen regulatory mechanisms in the agriculture sector.
The collective decisions taken during the meeting reflect the government’s commitment to revitalize the agricultural sector in Punjab and ensure the welfare of farmers.
