A comprehensive and multi-purpose Rs 4.04 billion investment programmes is being implemented to improve the infrastructure for better marketing of agriculture produces. This was stated by Punjab Agricultural Marketing Minister Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon while talking to a delegation of farmers here on Sunday.
The minister said the investment programme includes improvement in market information system, setting up of specialised processing units and establishing cold chain infrastructure throughout the province in collaboration with the private sector.
Rana Qasim said that Rs 1.57 billion investment project for setting up the processing units to ensure safe processing of agri produce has been initiated through public-private partnership.
He said that refrigerated vehicles will be provided for protected transportation of vegetables, fruits and other soft agri produce, adding that Rs 885 million investment programme has been started for establishing cold storage to improve the storage process.
The minister said that Rs 220 million investment is expected for improvement in market information system and another Rs 82 million for overall marketing process.
He briefed the delegation that in the total Rs 4.042 billion investment plan, the private sector contribution will be Rs 2.918 billion, saying that infrastructure of market committees is being revamped and Rs 1.19 billion is being spent initially for this purpose.