Secy for boosting yield of potato, onion, tomato

LAHORE:Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo on Friday said that it was vital to boost the yield of potato, onion and tomato to ensure their availability at affordable prices.

He presided over the meeting here in which discussion was held to increase production of vegetables. He said that increase in demand and supply of tomatoes and onions was a major problem and special tasks had been given to the relevant field formations for the off-season cultivation of onions and tomatoes in Punjab.

In this context, a plan was being prepared to increase the local production of tomatoes and onions. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that practical steps were being taken to reduce fluctuation in the prices and supply of tomatoes and onions. He further said that scientists had been assigned a special task for the off-season cultivation of tomatoes and onions while field formations had been assigned the task of finding suitable areas for off-season tomato cultivation in Punjab according to climatic conditions. He said that farmers were being guided about off-season onion cultivation in Punjab and a comprehensive plan was being prepared to enhance the production of seasonal vegetables in the province.