Steps being taken for farmers’ prosperity, says minister

LAHORE: Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTB) President Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti on Sunday met Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani. During the meeting, micro-financing for farmers and facility of financial and technical affairs came under discussion. The minister said that under the dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz practical steps were being taken for development and prosperity of farmers. He said that Kisan card programme had been started for small farmers under which farmers would be provided hefty amount of Rs150 billion without interest. Under green tractor scheme a subsidy of Rs1 million was also being provided to farmers.

Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that the Punjab government had launched livestock card with an amount of Rs4.5 billion to strengthen livestock sector. He said that 80,000 cattle breeders would benefit from the livestock card.

Tahir Bhatti said that the bank was providing loan on easy terms and less profit rate to small farmers. He further said that the bank was working with academia and agriculture research institutes, adding that this would help in achieving goals related to self reliance in agriculture. The minister assured to take all possible steps related to payment recovery.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Agriculture Department has advised farmers to sow winter vegetables during the month of October, as it is most conducive time for the purpose. A spokesman for the department said on Sunday that winter vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, potato, onion, carrot, brinjal, spinach, coriander, peas, radish etc. He said that winter vegetables should be sown in area from where they could get sunlight for at least six hours in a day.

Sowing area should be measured properly prior to the cultivation so that fertiliser and seed could be given in appropriate quantity, he said. He said that vegetables sown under kitchen gardening concept were healthy, inexpensive and free of poisons.