Rs 2,800 million allocated to agriculture sector

The Punjab government has allocated Rs 2,800 million in its budget 2007-08 for developing agricultural sector under the Annual Development programme (ADP), which is 154 percent higher than the current fiscal year''s.
According to budget documents, with a contribution of more than a quarter to the provincial GDP and employment to 50 percent of the labour force, agriculture is one of the most important sectors of Punjab''s economy.
The provincial policy aims to transform the traditional agriculture sector to a modernised one, excelling in value-added crop production for international markets as well as adding value to raw materials through agro-based industries, supported by cutting edge agricultural research, provision of top quality input package as well as improving distribution and marketing infrastructure.
The document says that in order to bring about cultural shift, far reaching reforms are planned in this sector and main feature of this agenda include total reformation of the research system of province and revitalisation of Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB), corporatisation of major research bodies, introduction of competitive research grant system and initiation of programme based research.
Similarly, describing Livestock as a vehicle for growth and social security, poverty alleviation and rural development leading towards domestic food security and creation of exportable surplus, the budget document says that the government has allocated Rs 1, 200 million for fiscal 2007-08 which is double that of the last year.
Interventions government would be introducing in this sector, according to the document, are support services for livestock farmers at their door steps through static and mobile veterinary dispensaries. In this connection a research programme would be introduced of research programme for neglected and untapped potential of meat and milk production through camel raising, establishment of quality control lab to test animal feed, establishment of international standard Buffalo institute at Pattoki, establishment of milk processing plants at Layyah and Sialkot, establishment of disease diagnostic laboratories and identification of cattle and buffaloes through tagging to control theft and outsourcing of curative cover through PRSP under the Prime Minister''s special initiative in Livestock in selected district of the province.
Rs 11, 000 million has been allocated for the irrigation sector for the year 2007-08, reflecting an increase of over 29.4 percent over the last corresponding period. Out of the total 112 schemes including in next year budget, 63 schemes comprising 42 on-going and 21 new schemes have been targeted for completion by allocating 66 percent of outlay to the on-going and 34 percent to new schemes.