Shahbaz Sharif reviews the implementation of Agri Package 2016

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government has given a historic package of Rs.100 billion for progress of agri sector and prosperity of the cultivators. He said that implementation of this package will leave a positive impact on uplift of cultivators and promotion of agriculture within next two years. Every penny of the agri package will be spent on the welfare of the farmers, he added. He said that basic aim of historic package of 100 billion rupees is to increase per acre production and reduce difficulties of farmers.

He said that soon solid steps will be announced for prosperity of cultivators and development of agriculture sector and relief will be provided to the farmers at their doorstep under agri package. He said that prosperity of farmers is top priority of the government and all out steps will be taken for providing relief to the cultivators.

He expressed these views while addressing a high level meeting, here today. The meeting which lasted five hours, reviewed in detail the steps proposed for implementation of Agri Package-2016 announced for the development of agriculture and prosperity of farmers.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that farmers are his brothers who grow grain from soil. He said that provision of relief to the cultivators and redressal of their difficulties is the responsibility of the government and for this purpose, a huge package of Rs.100 billion has been given.

He said that with a view to promotion of agriculture and increasing per acre production, decision has been made to increase subsidy on tractors from two lakh rupees to three lakh rupees from next financial year. He said that interests of small farmers are very dear and no compromise would be made on protection of their rights.

Shahbaz Sharif directed to take such steps as could result in reducing production cost and increasing cultivable area. Upon the proposal of provision of interest free soft term loans to small farmers, Shehbaz Sharif said that provision of interest free loans can be a great step for small cultivators. Therefore, final recommendations should be presented at the earliest for implementing the proposal. He said that if farmers become prosperous then Pakistan will make progress.

He said that all out steps will be taken for saving the cultivators from international recession. He said that relief will be provided to the farmers through historic package of Rs.100 billion and every administrative and financial step will be taken for the welfare of the farmers.

The Chief Minister directed to give a final shape to the proposals under the package announced during agri conference. He said that there is a great potential in livestock sector in the province and steps should be taken for fully benefiting the potential in this sector. He said that veterinary dispensaries should be rearranged while Idara-e-Kissan be made more active and vibrant.

He said that agriculture and livestock & dairy farming are of paramount importance in strengthening national economy and by promoting these sectors, problem of poverty and unemployment can be controlled and national economy be strengthened on strong foundations. He said that all out resources will be provided for the uplift of these sectors but these sectors will have to give results.

He said that per acre production can be increased through the development of small cultivators and transferring the results of agri research to the farmers. He said that historic Kissan Package of 100 billion rupees will help improve promotion of agriculture and prosperity of farmers.

Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Yawar Zaman, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Muhammad Asif Malik, Advisor Ijaz Nabi, concerned secretaries and senior officials attended the meeting whereas Provincial Ministers Dr. Farrukh Javed, Bilal Yasin, Special Assistant on Livestock Arshad Jutt, Chief Secretary and Chairman Planning & Development participated the meeting through video link.