The Punjab government is devising a clear road map for ensuring adequate returns to the sugarcane growers in the Province. This was stated by Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Minister for Agriculture, Punjab while chairing a meeting held today in Agriculture House to resolve problems of sugarcane growers.
The meeting was also attended by Nayyar Iqbal Cane Commissioner Punjab, Director General Agri. (Research), Director General Agri. (Ext. & A.R), Director General Agri. (Water Management) and representatives of various formations of Agriculture Department and farmers.
It was said in the meeting that the Chief Minister Punjab has constituted a high level committee headed by Senator Ishaq Dar and comprising of members including Minister for Agriculture, Minister Food, Minister Livestock, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Food, Punjab, representatives of Kissan Board and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association.
The Minister told the meeting that committee has been assigned to frame recommendations regarding fixation of sugarcane support price according to an approved formula acceptable to the stakeholders, eliminating role of middle man, resolving sugar industry problems, assessing cost of production of sugar, stabilising sugar price and ensuring its availability.
The Punjab Agriculture minister said government is keen to bring prosperity and ensure true returns to farmers for their produce. The Government is taking effective measure for fixing a reasonable support price for sugarcane and timely payments by the sugar mills. The representatives of various farmer organisations appreciated the Government efforts for stepping forward towards a permanent solution of problems faced by sugar industry.