ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Government has proposed numerous new agriculturesector development projects to be included in the China Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC) Socio Economic Development Framework.
Under the framework, a joint cotton research laboratory would beestablished in Multan at a cost of Rs 186 million to help improving theproductivity of the agriculture sector by increasing cotton cultivationarea and production.
It will also help in development of climate resilient cotton varieties thatwill ensure reliability and productivity.
The project will help farmers by lowering the need to invest ininsecticides and pesticides and will help alleviate poverty in ruralPunjab, sources in Punjab planning department said.
Under the Socio-Economic Development Framework, China had agreed to providePakistan a grant of $1 billion for initiating various projects across thecountry especially in under developed areas.
Similarly, the government will also an oil laboratory in Faisalabad wouldalso be strengthened to assist research activities regarding rapeseed crop.
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The project will be helpful in developing rapeseed varieties and hybridswith higher oil content and good quality edible oil.
Pest warning and quality control of pesticides is another project to belocated in Sahiwal, Sargodha, D.G.Khan and Bahawalpur to benefit farmers byincreasing their livelihoods and standard of living by ensuring greatercrop security through increasing epidemic resilience.
The project is also expected to complement the IPM programmes of theAgriculture Department and is in line with provincial growth strategy andwill also help Punjab with its compliance of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
The sources said that a Chinese team will due in Pakistan this month tovisit all sites of the project and then will give final approval to theprojects.
