UAF kicks off SMS service for one million farmers

Secretary Agriculture Punjab Captain Muhammad Mahmud has said that steps are being taken for the complete implementation of historical Kisan Package of CM Punjab for achieving targets of agriculture sector development by providing its benefits to every farmer.He stated this while holding meeting of local agriculture department officers at DCO Office committee room during his visit. DCO Salman Ghani was present in the meeting and EDO Agriculture Chaudhry Abdul Hameed gave briefing aboutthe performance and activities of the district agriculture department. Secretary Agriculture said that solid and comprehensive strategy was being followed to meet the challenges confronted to the agriculture sector and redressing the problems being faced by farmers. He said thathuge subsidy was being provided under CM Punjab Kisan package for reducing the cost of production of crops under which interest free loans of Rs 80 billions were being advanced to the small farmers while general sales tax on fertilisers and pesticides had also been waved off besides decreasing the per unit electricity rate from Rs 8.85 to 5.35 on tube-well connections and GST on electricity would also be paid by the Punjab govt. The Secretary maintained that 2.50 lac soil tests would be carried out by the end of this yearfor providing technical guidance to the farmers about the cultivation of crops according to the soil test.He said that the government priorities regarding boosting of agriculture sector were very clear and the support of district administration was imperative to achieve the targets of Punjab government agriculture policies. He said that District Agriculture Advisory Committee and District Task Force for agriculture be kept active and mobilised for overseeing the performance of agriculture department. He stressed upon effective actions against the spurious and substandard pesticides and fertilisers producers and said that intelligence based raids be conducted for the total elimination of this menace. He appreciated the services and performance of local agriculture department under the supervision of EDO Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and informed that CM Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif had approved the reward of additional salaries for the officers of agriculture department who would show excellent and marvellous performance to achieve the targets.DCO Sakman Ghani assured full cooperation of the district administration for the effective implementation of new initiative under Kisan Package and said that no stone keep unturned for achieving the desired results in agriculture sector. He said that vigorous campaign was continued to curb the menace of producing and sale of spurious pesticides.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy www.brecorder.com