Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, chaired a divisional-level review meeting on wheat cultivation held at Agriculture House, Lahore. The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and senior officials. The meeting focused on reviewing wheat cultivation targets across the province and assessing progress in various divisions.

During the briefing, the Minister was informed that Punjab has set a target of 16.5 million acres for wheat cultivation, of which 70.91 million acres have already been cultivated against this target till mow. Detailed updates were presented for Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions. It was informed that till now, in Sargodha Division wheat cultivated on an area 6.33 million acre against 17.4 million acre target, while in Sahiwal, 4.16 million acres wheat cultivated against 9.20 million acre target. Similarly, Multan Division has reached 6.30 million acres of its 18.2 million acre target, in DG Khan Division wheat cultivated on an area 11.41 million acres against target of 22. 94 million and Bahawalpur has achieved wheat cultivation on an area 8.28 million acres against its 26.11 million acre target.

The Minister stated that the Punjab Government is committed to supporting farmers and enhancing wheat production through all possible measures. Chief Minister, Punjab has announced a special multi-billion-rupee package aimed at providing modern agricultural resources and support to farmers. Under this package, 1,000 tractors will be provided by balloting to farmers cultivating wheat on more than 25 acres, and 1,000 laser land levelers will be distributed among farmers with 12.5 to 25 acres. The Minister emphasized that farmers should be well-informed about the Chief Minister’s incentive package. Additionally, it has been mandated that wheat must be cultivated on all Government lands. He added that small farmers with landholdings between 1 and 12.5 acres, interest-free loans are being provided through the Kissan Card to facilitate them in purchase of agricultural inputs. The Minister also instructed officials to invite local representatives and district administrators to the upcoming mega farmer gathering on wheat cultivation.

Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that provincial and divisional level competitions will be held to increase per-acre wheat yields. Field activities will be intensified to ensure the provision of modern wheat production technology. This year, the cost of approved wheat seeds has been reduced by approximately Rs. 2,000 compared to last year, and fertilizers are abundantly available at controlled rates, which will significantly reduce farmers’ production costs.

Additional Secretary Agriculture Task Force Punjab, Shabbir Ahmad Khan, and Director Generals of Agriculture Chaudhary Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Dr. Abdul Qayyum, and other officials were present.While Directors of Agriculture Extension from Sargodha, Sahiwal, DG Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur divisions attended the meeting online.

Source - https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com