The federal government is going to launch a national oilseed enhancement programme with a total cost of Rs 5115 million by promoting its cultivation in Punjab. The programme will be implemented in all 36 districts of the Punjab with contribution of Rs 3069 million by the Punjab government and a fund of Rs 2046 million by the federal government.
Sources in the provincial Agricultural department told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that objective of this national oil seed enhancement programme is to make oilseed crops comparable with cash crops, address low yields by enhancing oilseed production both vertically and horizontally, promote mechanization for oilseed crops to minimize post-harvest losses and get good yields.
Under this programme, farmers will be provided high quality oilseed in the province with the collaboration of the federal government and saving billions of dollars spent on import of oilseeds every year. The government will also provide a subsidy of sowing oilseed at the rate of Rs 5000 per acre.