Applications for International Green Week will till30th June

Lahore:Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmad Ali has said that participation in the exhibition of Pakistani agri and livestock products in International Green Week under supply chain management project is a great success of Punjab government. More than 100 applications have been received from agriculture, livestock, logistic and trade companies for joining this project and further applications are expected by June 30, he added. He said that farmers and other stakeholders should submit their applications before the fixed date in order to benefit from 70 percent financial assistance of the government.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the steering committee constituted for supply chain management at committee room of Punjab Assembly, here today. Chief Coordinator Supply Chain Management Kashif Jamshaid gave a briefing regarding the performance of the project so far and presented the future strategy. Member Provincial Assembly Ch. Asad Ullah, Secretary Agriculture Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary Livestock Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, Deputy Secretary Admin Market Committee Amir Khatak, Director Agriculture Information Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar, representatives of agriculture, livestock, finance and Planning and Development were also present on the occasion. The Minister said that participation in International Green Week has started yielding results and first time European markets are placing orders for the purchase of Pakistani rice and giving preference over Indian brand. He further said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has allocated a sum of two billion rupees for this project so that access of small farmers could also be made possible in the international markets and they could also get better return of their agri and livestock produce. He said that after receiving applications for participation in this project, 70% financial assistance will be provided during first year, 50% in second year and 30% in third year by the Punjab government to the persons qualifying after thorough scrutiny. The Minister directed the officials of agriculture and livestock departments to take measures for the inclusion of maximum number of small farmers in this project and complete guidance should be provided to them for the success of this project after achieving the required targets.

During a detailed briefing of the project, the Minister was informed that training of global gap and certification has been imparted to more than 100 persons so far and preparations are being made for participation in international green week during January next year so that huge foreign exchange could be earned by introducing Pakistani products in international markets.