LODHRAN: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif distributed cheques among farmers in Lodhran as part of Kissan package and also announced a Rs2.5 billion development package for the district.
Speaking after the cheque distribution ceremony, the PM said that his government acknowledges the hardships a farmer goes through to produce food and exportable crops for the country and for that reason he had announced the historic Rs341bn relief package for the community.
“But you all know who tried to stop government from speedy implementation of this historic package and still claims to represent the poor people of country,” the PM told farmers.
The prime minister said prosperity of Pakistan was closely linked with the prosperity of its farmers and the Kisaan Package was an unprecedented financial support package to farmers in the country’s 68-year history. He said that the government had reduced the prices of diesel and electricity rates for farmers to help them lessen their production cost.
He said the prices of cotton, rice and other food commodities had decreased in international markets, however he said that the government despite constraint of resources announced the Kisaan Package worth Rs341 billion for the uplift of the country’s farmers.
He said the farmers of Lodhran cultivated cotton at 168,536 acres and rice at 5,695 acres of land in the district, adding that the farmers of Lodhran would get Rs 87 million as financial support.
The PM said that the way people of the area have expressed their love for PML-N by voting for the party again and again, the party too will pay back in the same way. He said that the scheme for affordable and cost effective ‘solar tube well’ has been approved.
Nawaz Sharif said the government gives top priority to reduce cost of agriculture outputs.
He also announced two degree colleges in Lodhran and to build two new flyovers and a new connecting road from Lodhran to Khanewal.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for agriculture and food security Sikandar Hayat Bosan said the government has initiated several schemes to facilitate the small farmers and boost agriculture out-put.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed accompanied him during the visit.
