Cotton, wheat, livestock: state-of-the-art research centres being set up, National Assembly told

Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that the government was pursuing a plan to set up state-of-the-art research centers with US assistance for cotton, wheat and livestock. In written reply to a question, he informed the National Assembly on Monday that the Government had identified and it was implementing many steps for promotion of agriculture in the country.
He added that the government was implementing 59 development projects of 3-5 years duration, costing Rs 143.0 billion under PSDP. He said that development of agricultural infrastructure including warehousing facilities, agriculture marketing and grain storage facilities also included in these projects.
He said that that the government has launched Benazir Tractor Scheme costing over Rs 4.0 billion during 2009-10 for assistance of small farmers. He said apart from these, the government was introducing BT cotton varieties/technologies and to promote mechanisation, the government had removed duties and taxes on the imported agricultural inputs and machinery for agro-based industry. He said that government has announced a Rabi Assistance Plan for flood 2010 affected areas.