LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the government is fully aware of the difficulties being faced by agriculture sector.
“All out measures will be adopted to protect farmers and cultivators from the problems due to recession at international level in agri sector,” the chief minister said while addressing a meeting.
The chief minister with a view of addressing problems and providing them know-how on better means of agriculture, an agri conference is being arranged in the provincial metropolis during current month.
At the conference, he said, proposals would be invited to overcome problems in the agri sector, which he added, is backbone of the Punjab economy. He said that all stakeholders will be invited to the conference in which solid and meaningful measures will be finalized with the consultation of cultivators, experts and other stakeholders.
The chief minister said that the future of Pakistan’s economy is linked with agriculture sector and all out resources will be made available for the stability and development of agriculture sector. He said that government has taken a number of steps for the welfare and progress of rural population. He said that land record of 5.5 million landowners in 23000 villages has been computerized under Land Record Management Information System.
Shahbaz Sharif said that high quality roads are being constructed in rural areas for easy access from farms to market and three thousand kilometres long roads have already been constructed.
Similarly, he said, reconstruction of six barrages and different canals is being undertaken with a huge sum for the promotion of agriculture and irrigation sectors.
The chief minister further said that under Prime Minister’s Kissan Package, relief package of billions of rupees has been given to cultivators. He said thousands of cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats have been distributed free of cost among rural women for the purpose of poverty alleviation.