Apropos a news report '2011 termed worst year for agriculture sector' carried by Business Recorder, on 28th December 2011, the spokesman of Agriculture Department has clarified that supply of agricultural inputs and imposition of RGST on fertiliser are responsibility of Federal Government.
Clarifying some aspects of the news item, the spokesman said that production of all major crops in Punjab has remarkably increased since 2007-08. The spokesman further said that wheat production of 18.42, 18.24 and 19.04 million tons during 2008-09, 2009-10 & 2010-11 was achieved as compared to 15.60 million tons in 2007-08 which marked an increase of 18.02%, 16.87%, and 18% respectively.
Similarly, a record rice production of 3.643 and 3.713 million tons was achieved during 2008-09 and 2009-10 as compared to 3.28 million tons in 2007-08 which marked an increase of 10.86% and 12.99%, respectively. Sugarcane production of 37.5 and 42.8 million tons was achieved during 2010-11 and 2011-12, which marked an increase of 19.7% and 36.74% against 31.3 million tons production of 2009-10.
The spokesman added that now Punjab Government has entered into certification regime to produce fully traceable agricultural and livestock products to reach high end markets of the developed world and to enhance exports for which Rs 2.024 billion has been allocated to improve supply chain of selected agricultural and livestock products for improving quality and introducing traceability as per international standards and requirements.
In the history of Pakistan, 15-20 fully traceable fruits, vegetables, rice and meat products will be showcased at forthcoming International Green Week, Berlin, Germany during January 2012 for which capacity of about 25 exhibitors has been built for compliance of Global GAP and IFS standards. The spokesman has also said that Punjab Government has also launched another mega project costing Rs 36 billion titled "Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement" under which a drip and sprinkler irrigation system would be installed on 120,000 acres along with improvement of 9000 water courses.-PR