Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) has fixed a target of selling 100,000 packets of vegetable seeds at a rate of Rs 50 per pack in 2015-16. PAD established 325 sale points in all the districts to sell packets of eight different vegetables' seeds to promote kitchen gardening in Punjab. PAD sources said experts have devised various ways for kitchen gardening which included sowing of vegetables at any empty place in the home besides using clay pots, plastic bags and other used cartons.
"People can also sow vegetables on rooftops or with the walls. It helps getting fresh and nutrient vegetables besides reducing the monthly kitchen budget," they said. Experts advised usage of 300 to 350 grams of vegetable per person on daily basis while in Pakistan people are using only 100 to 150 grams per person per day. This ratio is lower than half of the internationally recommended usage thus leading to increasing diseases and health issues.
A campaign to promote kitchen gardening in the Punjab is being run by the department under the directives of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. "PAD will organise seminars and programmes to highlight the importance of kitchen gardening. These programmes will be held at public places and educational institutions. While demonstration plots and media will also be used to create awareness about the benefits of kitchen gardening," they added.