Punjab government has chalked out a well knitted plan costing Rs21.27 billion for establishing model agriculture markets in the Province. Under the programme Kisan Platforms would also be established in Subzi Manid (Vegetable Markets) across the Province aimed at facilitating the grower and to eliminate the role of middle man in the Punjab.

Sources in Agriculture department told Business Recorder on Thursday that the government was taking the step to cope with price hike, profiteering and to provide inexpensive vegetables and fruit to the consumers and specific areas would be allocated in existing in Subzi Mandi (vegetable markets) for the establishment of " Kisan Platforms" with the provision of drinking water facility and setting arrangements would made available.

The concept of the plan was an attempt to eliminate the role of middle man and to enable growers to sell their agricultural proceeds without paying market fee and commission.

Initially Kisan Platforms would be established at Sialkot, Lahore, Multan, Gujrat, Sargodha, DG.Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Kasur, Mianwali, Sadiqabad, Toba Take Singh, Sheikhupura, Rajanpur, RahimYar Khan and Gujranwala etc. Sources further told that farmers of tunnel farming could avail the facility for selling their agricultural produce in model markets. Work on the plan would soon be initiated in the Punjab sources added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019