This was stated by Director General (DG) Agriculture (Extension) Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali while addressing the farming community on Farmer's Day at the Dera of Shaukat Hayat in Chak No.78-JB here on Saturday.

This function was organized by the District Agriculture Department in collaboration with Fauji Fertilizer Corporation (FFC) for the awareness of peasants about modern techniques for cultivation of wheat and cotton.

Executive District Officer (EDO) Agriculture Dr Ishtiaq Hasan, District Officer (DO) Agriculture Chaudhary Abdul Hameed, former EDO Agriculture Rana Farman Ali, Regional Manager FFC Arshad Kiyani, Marketing In-charge FFC Arshad Waheed and about 300 farmers of the area were also present on the occasion.

The DG agriculture said cotton was a precious crop of the country.

Pakistan is on the fourth top numbers in producing cotton while Punjab province is contributing 80 percent share in the total cotton production.

He said the Punjab government approved nine varieties of BT cotton which were not only disease resistant but also gave maximum yield.

He asked growers to cultivate developed cotton varieties which would help in arresting their financial problems besides strengthening national kitty.

He said that staff of the agriculture department would provide them all-out cooperation besides the provision of guidance to cultivate developed crops. In this connection, a series of training programs has also been chalked out, he added.

DO Agriculture Chaudhary Abdul Hameed also addressed the function and informed the participants in details about the techniques to save cotton crops from attack of pests and insects.

On this occasion, officers of the Agriculture Department also visited experimental plots of wheat.