Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa has said that agri-marketing system would be streamlined for ensuring due returns to the farmers for their produce.
He also said modern agri-markets would be set up at divisional level where all necessary facilities would be available and special measures would be taken for increasing production of fruits and vegetables in the province, he added.
He was presiding over a meeting regarding agri-marketing and development of agriculture sector here on Monday, disclosed an official. Punjab Agriculture Minister Ahmad Ali Olakh, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman Planning and Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Agriculture, Member Colonies, former finance minister Sartaj Aziz as well as agriculture and horticulture experts were present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister said special attention would be paid to the provision of high quality seeds of vegetables to the cultivators and effective measures would be taken for increasing production of fruits and vegetables. He also said system of soft-term loans to the farmers would be further improved and modern technology would be promoted for increasing per acre yield.
"Complete guidance would be provided to the farmers regarding use of modern agri-technology," he added. According to him, it has been decided to strengthen agriculture sector on priority basis for enhancing agriculture production.
Due attention would be paid to the transfer of modern technology to the farmers, supply of high yield-seeds and harmonising the marketing system with international trends. Strengthening of agriculture is of key importance in view of rapidly growing population, hence the government will adopt solid measures for the uplift of agri-sector that will result in prosperity of farmers and strengthening of provincial economy. Improvement of agri-marketing system results in increase in agriculture production, therefore infrastructure and sanitation system in the markets will be further improved.