Punjab CM makes task force to revolutionise agriculture sector

By: Ali Ramay
Published: 07:23 PM, 4 Feb, 2023
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Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi has approved the establishment of a task force for bringing improvement in the agriculture sector of the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Syed Mohsin Navi took the decision during a meeting with a 50-member delegation of Progressive Farmers at his office on Saturday.

Punjab Chief Minister will be the head of the task force that will take immediate measures to solve the problems of farmers. It will also take steps for bringing improvement in the agricultural sector.

The task force will make recommendations on increasing agricultural production, use of new seeds, easy access to the market, and other issues within seven days.

The provincial minister for industry SM Tanveer, Aptma chairman Gohar Ejaz, Syed Yawar Ali, Zaka Ashraf, and Fawad Mukhtar will be members of the task force. Secretaries of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock departments besides heads of agricultural research institutes are part of the task force.

The delegation briefed the Punjab Chief Minister about the problems of the farmer community. It was agreed in the meeting to take effective measures for higher production of agricultural and livestock commodities. The meeting also evolved consensus to promote research in the province.

Syed Mohsen Naqvi told the delegation that decisions will be made immediately in light of the recommendations of the task force.

The chief minister informed the delegation that Aptma Foundation has announced the establishment of a fund of Rs 1 billion for research to increase cotton cultivation in the province.

Aptma Foundation will fund research in agricultural universities on improved seeds of cotton and other crops.

The Punjab chief minister also directed the provincial ministers to have meetings with the farmers at the division level to address their grievances.  

“The provincial ministers along with the commissioners will listen to the problems of the farmers and solve them on the spot.”

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also directed taking effective measures to prevent black marketing and supply of fertilizer.

He also decided to contact the federal government to restore the GST subsidy on the tube-well electricity bill.

He directed to speed up the lumpy skin vaccination campaign in the province.

Ali Ramay is a Senior Investigative Reporter associated with Pakistan's City News Network (CNN). He has been associated with the CNN group since 2013 and mainly covers investigative stories in departments under the Punjab Government.