Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif assigned rice export target of $5 billion during current fiscal year 2024-25, while $4 billion rice was exported in the previous fiscal year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The chief minister was presiding over a meeting in Lahore on Saturday regarding agriculture reforms in the province.
During the detailed briefing, the chief minister was informed that the area being used for cultivation of rice will be expanded and 30 percent increase in production of rice is expected during current fiscal year.
She said that the agriculture land owned by the government must be used for wheat cultivation. Maryam Nawaz directed to use latest technology for production and cultivation of agriculture products.
She said that seeds and fertilizer will be given to farmers on less prices.
On this occasion, the chief minister was informed that around 11,42,000 farmers obtained registration for Kissan Card, 4,17,000 cards are already printed while 3,00,000 Kissan Cards were received by the farmers.
During the briefing, the Chief Minister was informed that 2,96,000 Kissan Cards are activated and around 2600 dealers are registered in Punjab for Kissan Card.
The chief minister was informed that 15,00,000 farmers applied for tractors under CM Green Tractor Scheme. Now the balloting will be held to select 9500 farmers out of 10,00,000 farmers.
She was informed that those farmers who applied through CM Green Tractors Scheme will be allotted 5 acres of agriculture land at 64 percentage while only 28 percent farmers applied for 50 acres of agriculture land and 8 percent farmers applied for 50 acres of land.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif was told that 994 agriculture graduates taking guidance for enhancement in wheat production.
The chief minister was informed that currently 4 Agriculture Malls are being constructed and around 747 Super Seeds were distributed among farmers of Punjab on subsidy rates.
During the briefing the CM was informed that separate land of 2 acres each allotted for cultivation of unseasonal tomato and onion crop.
He said that cultivation of unseasoned tomato is almost completed on an area of 1762 acres.
He said that 5 to 10 percent increase is being expected in cultivation of tomato and onion. Currently tomato and onion being cultivated on 12m000 acres of agriculture land.
Around 82 farmers groups are registered under Corporate Farming.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain