LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the government was fully aware of the loss caused to cultivators due to cotton crop.
He was presiding over a meeting at Committee Room of Punjab Assembly here which reviewed damage caused to cotton crop and precautionary measures for next crop. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister lamented that farmers suffered a loss and the agriculture research institutions did not pay any attention in this regard. He said that loss was caused to cotton crop due to poor quality of seed and the economy affected. He said it was intolerable that the farmers had to bear the loss due to negligence or laxity of research institutions.
Shehbaz Sharif said concerned institutions did not take solid steps for preparing new variety of cotton seed. He said action would be taken as per rules and regulations against the officials of the institutions who did not discharge their duties in preparation of quality seeds.
He directed that work should be started immediately for quality cotton seed. He directed to immediately evolve a plan for pest management system and added that production could be increased by timely use of pesticides in an effective manner.
He stressed upon the need to take immediate steps for eliminating spurious agri medicines. He said the agriculture department should present a comprehensive plan in this regard.
The chief minister directed that immediate steps should be taken for the preparation of Plant Breeders Rights Act.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed, Members National & Provincial Assembly, Syed Sajid Mehdi, Syed Hussain Jehanian Gardezi, Sajjad Haider Gujjar, Secretary Agriculture and officials concerned attended the meeting.
