Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, on Saturday urged the state-owned research institutions to improve their performance amid fair competition with the private sector so as to ensure proper utilisation of public money.
During a visit to the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, the minister urged the scientists to come up with varieties of cotton having compatibility with local weather conditions and resistance against enemy pests and cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV).
He said that the government would provide all possible facilities to the research institutions but institutions are also duty-bound to bring more and more improvement in their performance amid competition with the private sector, and added that it was necessary to ensure proper utilisation of public money. He said: "Enhancing agriculture production is our prime target to enable the country reach the stage of self-sufficiency."
On complaint of MPA Nazim Hussain that Utility Stores Corporation (USC) officials in Multan were not consulting elected representatives in setting up sale points for fertilisers, the minister directed USC officials to consult local MPAs and MNAs in setting up sale points so that larger number of growers can benefit from the facility.
"Fertilisers are available in abundance, and our government has paid in advance to the companies so that the vital agriculture implement should reach the growers through USC sale points without any delay or any other inconvenience," the minister observed. Earlier CCRI Multan Director Muhammad Arshad gave detailed briefing to the minister on performance of the agriculture research institution.
The minister was informed that matters pertaining to release of funds for new building of the research institution and promotion of scientists were pending with the ministry. The minister assured him that the matters would be decided as early as possible. Former parliamentary secretary on food and agriculture Noor Khan Bhabha accompanied the minister. CCRI Multan Director also presented a shield to the minister.
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