Weed eradication campaign launched by the provincial agriculture department is in full swing to ensure a good yield for upcoming cotton crop. All employees of the agriculture department are participating in this campaign on the special directives of Muhammad Mahmood Secretary Agriculture, Punjab. The Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) has set up committees at village level to make weed eradication campaign a success. The committees are comprised of lumberdar, patwaris, officials of the provincial agriculture department and notables from other segments of the society.
These committees are supporting the farmers in the process of eradication of weeds from their fields and farms. They are also collaborating with other social welfare organizations to educate the growers about damages caused by weeds.
The six-day 'eradicate weeds-increase production' campaign in the province is part of off-season management formula for upcoming cotton crop. The main target of all these steps from Government of Punjab is to increase the overall profitability of farmers. This planned campaign is designed to eradicate the weeds on farm, posing serious threats to the profitability of small farmers. Weeds cause to reduce 40 to 45% of crop production and contribute to an average loss of 40-75% in overall production.
The weeds are harmful inside the field. This on farm eradication will help the farmers a lot. Spokesman of Agriculture Department, Punjab said that weeds not only compete with other crops in getting food, water and space but are also considered best debris places for harmful insects. So, eradication of weed will give farmers a space for better production and even during next cotton season, chances of harmful insect attack will be diminished.
The Punjab Agriculture Department is also launching the awareness campaign for eradication of harmful weeds at its local offices, schools, colleges and public and private places. Seminars will also be arranged besides hanging banners at prominent places.