Secretary Agriculture Punjab Muhammad Mahmood has said that the provincial government has doubled subsidy over Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer from Rs 150 to Rs 300 per bag. Secretary Agriculture disclosed that the subsidy would also be given to all phosphoric urea users. The government was taking steps to increase production as per demand of the country and GST was not being charged over DAP to control its prices, he added.
In his statement, Mahmood further said that cotton production target this year has been estimated at 10 million bales. Bumper cotton crop during this financial year is top priority of the Government of Punjab because whole economy depends on its high production. He further disclosed that provincial government is also devising "2025 Cotton Mission" plan.
For immediate relief of cotton growers, government is providing approved varieties of cotton seed on up to 50% subsidized rate and also providing subsidy voucher at Rs 700 per cotton bag to core area of cotton growers. More than Rs 14 million is being spent for provision of agricultural machinery to cotton growers.
To save cotton crop against Pink Bollworm attack, Rs 96.2 million is being spent on PB Ropes that was installed on 50 districts of Punjab on 50 acre blocks. The Punjab government had also provided 110,000 smart phones to the farmers equipped with special applications through which extension services are being provided to cotton growers and other crops.
For Cotton high yield seed production Rs 350.889 million is being spent on "Commissioned Research Programme". For White fly control, Punjab government is spending Rs 39.612 million to provide genetic modified varieties of cotton crop. In nut shell, Punjab government is taking many measures to boost up cotton production and save cotton industry. He further said that this year there is an increasing tendency of cotton supply in international market and farmers can get full benefit by cultivation cotton during this year.