Govt policies increased Rabi crops' production, claims minister

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial claimed here on Tuesday that production of Rabi crops 2019-20 has been increased due to the farmer friendly policies of the current government.

This year Punjab has produced 19.4 million tones of wheat which is 1,023,000 tones more than last year. Similarly, the province produced 430,000 tones of grams which is 53,000 tones more than last year.

Canola was cultivated on an area of 110,000 acres which yielded 76,000 tons, double than the corresponding period.

The Minister stated this while addressing a press conference at Agriculture House on Tuesday. Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr Anjum Ali, Director of Agricultural Information Punjab Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar, Chief Adviser Media for Punjab Minister for Agriculture Shahid Qadir and a large number of media representatives were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Langrial further said that for the first time the government has procured more than 4 million tones of wheat. The Punjab government has allocated Rs 256 billion for this purpose. Various projects worth Rs 300 billion are being implemented under the PM's Agricultural Emergency Programme for agricultural development and prosperity of farmers. In addition, an economic package of Rs. 56.6 billion has recently been approved by the Economic Coordination Committee.

Briefing the media on locust situation, the minister said farmers in 25 districts of Punjab are facing difficulties due to locusts. The chief minister has declared a state of emergency for the eradication of locusts and released a hefty amount of Rs 1 billion, he added. Under the Punjab locust control plan, the PDMA has set up control rooms in all the affected districts. The agriculture department and other concerned agencies visited 25 locust-affected districts. The operation for the control of locusts is underway and so far the surveillance work of 14.7 million acres has been completed. Some 75,000 liters of pesticides have been sprayed on more than 756,000 acres of land through equipment and machinery, the minister further commented.