Rs 21 billion allocated for agriculture sector

The Punjab government has allocated a sum of Rs 21 billion for the agriculture sector under the annual development programme 2017-18 with a plan to execute 34 on-going and 25 new schemes. This also includes Rs 10 billion for Khadim-e-Punjab Kissan Package and Rs 2 billion for establishment of PAFDA Science Enclave. The same amount was allocated for agriculture sector in the current financial year under this package.
Major initiatives of 2017-18 are Punjab Irrigated-Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (PIPIP)-World Bank Assisted, Optimising Watercourse Conveyance Efficiency through enhancing lining length, provision of laser land levelers to the farmers/service providers on subsidised costs, establishment of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, establishment of model farms linked with improved supply chain and value addition, extension service 2.0 - farmers facilitation through modernised extension, promotion of high value agriculture through provision of climate smart technology package, Establishment of Hi-Tech Mechanisation Service Centre in Punjab, development of hybrid and OPVs in horticulture crops resilient to climate change, rehabilitation of salt affected soil through gypsum application, cotton seed reform project, establishment of PAFDA Science Enclave Main Building Premises, Lahore.
According to the budget document, 25 on-going schemes were undertaken by the department with Rs 8 billion on ongoing and the rest on 15 new schemes during the year 2016-17.
Agriculture is the mainstay of our economy. Although Punjab economy has witnessed a considerable diversification over the years, the agriculture still remains an important sector of the economy and a driving force for growth and development. It provides employment to 43.5 percent people in the province, and more than 61 percent in rural areas. It provides food, shelter, and livelihood to the inhabitants and raw material to the industry.
"The vision of agriculture department is to transform agriculture sector into a diversified, sustainable, modern and market-driven sector through knowledge-based empowerment, efficient resource utilisation and revamping existing practices," said the budget documents.
The documents claimed upgradation of Main Library, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, through IT interventions, provision of additional facilities for improvement in fruit yield and quality of guava, date and pomegranate, introduction and adaptation of advanced technologies to mechanise various farm operations for enhancing crop production, sustainable development and management of ground water with electric resistivity sounding survey in Punjab (Phase II), enhancing vegetable production in Punjab, promotion of agriculture mechanisation in Punjab, establishment of export oriented floriculture centre at Pattoki, rehabilitation and improvement of Khadija-tul-Kubra Female Hostel Complex along with construction of sports facility at UAF as the main achievements of the current financial year.