Rs 5.9 billion earmarked for agriculture, livestock development

In order to meet the challenges of food security and increasing the growth rate for employment generation and poverty reduction in rural areas, the Punjab government has collectively allocated Rs 5900 million for agriculture and livestock sectors development programmes in the proposed budget for 2011-12.
The provincial government has allocated Rs 3400 million for agriculture, while livestock and dairy development has been allocated Rs 2500 million. The amount for agriculture sector is 123 percent higher than current year's revised allocation, while for livestock and dairy development it is 134 percent higher, according to budget documents.
Focus of the government during the year would remain on production of healthy crops, which is a first step towards getting food security. Self-reliance, food security and promotion of exportable high-value crops through improved practices are the key areas for agriculture sector.
The objective of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the agriculture sector is to increase farmers' income through increased crop productivity, better support prices, diversified agriculture, the documents add. Emphasis would also remain on high-value agriculture, efficient water conveyance through improved water-courses, precision land levelling and drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Discussing the strategic interventions to be taken by the provincial government for productivity enhancement, the documents say that cotton sowing would be promoted in Thal through pressurised irrigation, promotion of mechanised rice transplanting through service providers to achieve optimal plant population per acre and eradication of poverty through distribution of house-cum-garden plots on lease basis in Southern Punjab.
Other interventions for the next financial year include development of command area of mini-dams in Barani areas, promotion of kitchen gardening in big towns to overcome high vegetable prices and supply chain improvement to provide three-tier support to farmers, processors and exporters to enhance export of fruit and vegetable through Global GAP/IFS compliance.
On research front, the government plans research on salt affected soils and brackish water to evolve low-cost technology for utilisation of poor quality water for agriculture purposes in southern Punjab. Establishment of Rice Research Station at Bahawalnagar for backstopping of newly emerging parboils rice cultivation and processing and research on biotechnology genetic sciences. Up-gradation of Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku for accelerating the evolution of new varieties and establishment of Mango Research Institute, Multan are the other initiatives government planned in research next year.
The government also plans to introduce pilot project adaptation of Bio-Gas technology to mitigate energy crisis, Pilot Project Testing of solar irrigation pumps and introduction of solar pumps at subsidised rates. It is planned to distribute 1500 solar pumps and installation of higher efficiency irrigation system on 10,000 acres. The government also plans installation of 450 bio-gas plants in the province.
Strategic interventions, planned for livestock and dairy development, include enhancement of milk and meat production, induction of private sector in public sector funded breed improvement and conversion of a livestock farm into productive unit through public private partnership. Next year's plan also includes women empowerment for livestock production in Barani areas, establishment of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Bahawalpur, Para-veterinary School at Layyah, and capacity building of departmental staff for advisory services.