Farmers living standard to be improved:Malik Ahmad Ali Olakh

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Malik Ahmed Ali has said that Punjab government is striving vigorously to improve the standard of living of farmers. He said that with the participation of farmers in International Green Week, held recently in Berlin, a city of Germany, in which Pakistani agricultural products were displayed, the farming community has been greatly incentivized. The Minister said, under this project, by lowering the cost of agriculture and livestock products and reducing post harvest losses the Pakistani products can be sold at a good price in accordance with international standards. He said this step would not only generate revolution in the agriculture sector, but would also assist in poverty alleviation in rural areas.

The Minister expressed these views, while presiding over a steering committee meeting, to review Supply Chain Management Project, held at the committee room of Agriculture Department, today. The meeting was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Ch. Asad Ullah, Secretary Agriculture Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed, Coordinator of the Project and Additional Secretary Agriculture, Amir Khatak, Chief Coordinator Kashif Jamshed and representatives of finance, planning and development and livestock departments. World renowned logistic companies, interested in supply chain management, gave the meeting a detailed briefing on the occasion.

Provincial Agriculture Minister Malik Ahmed Ali said that, under the supply chain management project, the Punjab government would extend 70% financial assistance for acquiring Global Gap and IFS certification, which will help the farmers to introduce their livestock and agriculture products in the international market which will also improve their standard of living. Malik Ahmed Ali informed the meeting that Punjab government is taking priority-based steps for the development of post harvest technology and provision of modern facilities to the farmers. Malik Ahmed Ali called upon farmers, cattle breeders, suppliers and logistic companies to take maximum benefit of facilities being extended to them by the Punjab government. The Minister said that it is also essential to persuade persons, belonging to agriculture and livestock sectors, to manufacture their products in accordance with hygienic principles and international specifications, after getting necessary training in this regard.