Federal government even did not spare to ruin the agriculture sector:Malik Ahmad

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Malik Ahmed Ali has said that national economy depends on agriculture, however, the federal government even did not spare to ruin the agriculture sector by not overcoming energy crises, but due to the efforts of Punjab government, agriculture has been strengthened in the province and if such not happened, the economy crisis of Pakistan can be further worsen.

He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of livestock, poultry and agri convention of south Punjab held at Zakariya University Multan today. The provincial minister said that 50 lakh ton wheat produced in Punjab in 2007 while due to farmer friendly policies of Punjab government this produce has enhanced to 1.84 crore ton very next year. He said that during the last three years subsidy of Rs. Six billion was given for 30 thousand green tractors distributed among small cultivators. He said that the previous government introduced only 39 varieties of seed during the last five years while during the present era 82 new varieties were introduced. He said that livestock has vital importance in agriculture sector which has 53 percent share while growth rate is four percent. He said that the present government took revolutionary measures in livestock sector due to which growth rate has enhanced.

Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi said that development in livestock and poultry sector is the need of the hour. He said that requirement of meat can only be met if breeding of animals is ensured along with poultry and through this we can also enhance export of meat for earning foreign exchange. Vice Chancellor Zakariya University Dr. Khawaja Alqama, Dr. Waseem Rafique Chaudhary and Mir Tahir Zaidi also addressed.