Govt, private sector collaboration vital to farm productivity

LAHORE: Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Country Head of Syngenta Pakistan Private Limited Company Zeeshan Haseeb Baig Tuesday termed collaboration between provincial government and private sector as need of the hour to increase farm productivity.

Both the leaders had a meeting at Agriculture House where they were briefed on the company’s business and provision of insect control products to farmers. On the occasion, Kirmani said the Agriculture Department and the private sector should collaborate and cooperate to increase per acre production of crops in joint programmes for the awareness and mobilisation of farmers regarding modern production technology of crops.

The minister said farmers should be guided by organising joint programmes in cotton cultivation areas. He appreciated the services of the company for providing quality agricultural inputs to the farmers. The minister said the Agriculture Department is recruiting Agricultural Graduates on contract basis to improve the linkages with farmers.

He said these young graduates should be connected with dealers and franchisees of the company to organize a consultation sessions with farmers. The issuance of Nawaz Sharif Kissan Card, facilities should be provided at all dealers and franchise outlets of the company.

Kirmani said all possible measures will be taken to increase the yield of crops. On the occasion, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said awareness programmes will be organized in collaboration with the Agriculture Department to guide the cotton farmers in South Punjab.

Operational dispensaries ordered at mining sites

In a ground-breaking move to ensure the safety and well-being of miners, the Punjab government has made a significant stride by mandating the presence of dispensaries at all mining sites across the region.

In a statement, Minister for Mines and Minerals Department Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani said the safety of miners has always been a top priority of the Punjab government and the current initiative was to prevent accidents and provide immediate medical assistance to them.

He said under the new directive, it is now mandatory for every mining site in the province to have a functioning dispensary. Additionally, essential equipment to prevent accidents must be readily available at these sites.