LAHORE: (APP) Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that agriculture was the backbone of national economy, therefore, the government was implementing a comprehensive programme for uplift of agriculture sector and prosperity of farmers and all out resources were being utilized for this purpose.
He said that provision of necessary facilities to farmers was essential for promoting agriculture economy and concerned departments should take practical measures for the prosperity of cultivators.
He said that the Punjab government would spend Rs 100 billion during next two years for development of agriculture sector and full attention would be paid to agriculture research.
He was presiding over a high level meeting which reviewed steps proposed for implementation of recommendations of Punjab Agriculture Conference-2016 for the betterment of farmers and development of agriculture sector.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that such programmes would be evolved which would directly benefit the farmers.
He said that progress and prosperity of farmers was the top priority and the government was moving forward in this direction by adopting a farmer-friendly policy.
Shehbaz Sharif said that he would personally monitor the measures taken under historic package of 100 billion rupees for the prosperity of farmers and development of agriculture sector.
He said that immediate measures were needed for the standardization of agriculture machinery.
Chief Minister directed that steps should be taken to activate Punjab Agriculture Research Board and special attention be paid to research to enhance agriculture production and area under cultivation.
He said that there was a need to transfer results of agri research to farmers.
He said that promotion of technology, research development and agri extension was essential for development of agriculture sector and progress of farmers.
The Chief Minister directed to submit a practicable and final plan for the strengthening of agri economy and said that prosperity of small cultivators should be the top priority.
He also ordered to constitute a high level committee headed by Chief Secretary to present a comprehensive roadmap within few days for development of agri sector and betterment of farmers.
Secretary Agriculture gave a detailed briefing on the measures proposed in the light of recommendations for the progress of agri sector and prosperity of cultivators.
Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Bilal Yasin, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Mian Yawar Zaman, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Muhammad Asif Malik, Special Assistant Arshad Jatt, Advisor Ijaz Nabi, Chief Secretary
Captain (Retd.) Zahid Saeed, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned secretaries attended the meeting.