The farmers rights will be protected: Dr. Farrukh Javed

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Farrukh Javed has said that Punjab government will ensure the protection of farmer’s rights in wheat harvesting and procurement campaign. He said that wheat will be procured from small farmers first and they will get due return of their hard work. He instructed the officers and staff of Agriculture Department to personally visit wheat procurement centers and help in providing relief to the farmers. He said that no negligence in this regard will be tolerated. He asked the staff to immediately contact ministry of agriculture and food in case of any problem and discrepancy. He asked the administration to minimize the role of middle man in wheat procurement campaign.

Dr. Farrukh Javed said that due to the blessings of Almighty Allah and hard work of farmers, there is a bumper wheat crop during the current year. He said that Chief Minister Punjab has announced to provide 10 thousand tractors on concessional rates to small farmers, which is a remarkable step. He said that Punjab government will give a subsidy of two lakh rupees per tractor to small farmers and this farmer-friendly program will be launched from the next financial year. He said that the subsidized tractors will be given to those small farmers having up to 12.5 acre of land. He said that there was a bumper wheat crop in Pakistan this year and Punjab government has fixed wheat procurement target of 40 lakh ton and its price at Rs.1300 per mound. He said that wheat will be purchased from farmers transparently during wheat procurement campaign and clear cut instructions have been issued to Food and Agriculture Department in this regard. He said that 376 wheat procurement centers have been set up in the province for the facility of farmers. He said that transparency has been ensured in the process of wheat procurement. The Minister said that Punjab government took a number of steps for the farmers and no one will be allowed to exploit farmers. He said that Chief Minister Punjab is personally monitoring the procurement campaign and injustice will not be allowed with anyone.