KARACHI: The Sindh Agricultural Department has in principle approved proposal of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) for a project involving setting up of a phytotron tunnel in the province.
While addressing a reception hosted by REAP, provincial Agriculture Secretary Aijaz Ahmed Mahesar praised the proposals given by REAP for betterments in the agriculture sector.
He described REAP’s proposal for setting up of a phytotron tunnel as a good one and said it would be implemented. He promised that the scheme would be included in the Annual Development Plan so that funds could be provided for setting up of a phytotron tunnel at the Rice Research Centre in Sindh.
Mr Mahesar also assured REAP’s senior officials that he would support all the development works aimed at benefiting the stakeholders of rice trade, including farmers, millers, traders and exporters.
The secretary said that REAP’s proposal would help enhance the per acre yield of crops. Muhammad Anwar Mianoor, the senior vice chairman of REAP, gave a comprehensive briefing on his organisation’s proposal for setting up of a phytotron tunnel facility for research and seed development, which would help reduce the duration of trials of new rice seeds from one year to a couple of months.
He also suggested that plots of land measuring 5,000 acres should be acquired for establishing model villages in different districts of Sindh. This project would create awareness among farmers about selection of seed varieties, use of fertilisers/pesticide and water etc.
Mr Mianoor said that REAP would maintain full liaison with Sindh’s agriculture department to bring more projects for improvements in the agriculture sector. Shakil Rahimoon, the additional agriculture secretary, managing committee members of REAP and a large number of rice exporters were present on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
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