Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that the development of the country lies in the prosperity of the small farmers. While speaking at an 'Agri Conference' held here on Tuesday, the Governor said that a forceful campaign is being run by the government to provide certified seed, fertilizer and adulteration free pesticides to the growers. He said that the government is cognizant of its obligation and exploitation of farmers will not be allowed at any cost.
The Punjab Agriculture Minister, Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial said that agriculture is at the top of the priority list of the present government and all-out resources are being utilized to resolve the issues being faced by the growers' especially small land-holders.
The Minister said that sugarcane growers were ignored during the last regime but present regime ensured payment of their cane at the rate of Rs 180 per maund. He said that commodity markets are being revamped on the latest lines where facilities like processing plants and cold storage would also be available for the growers.
He claimed that the first time ever farmers were being compensated for the loss in their produce through a crop insurance scheme. He said government launched crop insurance (takaful) scheme in Sahiwal, Sheikhupura, Lodhran and Rahim Yar Khan for cotton and paddy and this scheme is being expanded to five more districts in Rabi 2018-19 seasons.
These new districts are Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Faisalabad and Narowal. He also announced that wheat crop has also been included in this crop insurance scheme. The conference was also addressed by Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Mussarrat Iqbal Cheema (MPA) and Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami.