Project will promote mechanization, certified seeds, responsible use of pesticides
In order to meet the import tolerance standards set by the European Union and the United States, the Punjab government has launched a Rs 6 billion project for 15 paddy growing districts in the province to mechanize, adopt certified seeds and promote responsible use of pesticides.
Under the “National Programme for Enhancing Profitability through Increasing Productivity of Rice”, farmers are receiving subsidy on the purchase of certified rice seeds as well as awareness of responsible and judicious use of pesticides.
“It is a complete package extended by the government to enhance rice productivity in a sustainable manner,” said Director Agriculture (Extension) Gujranwala Javed Iqbal while speaking at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday (July 2, 2021).
“The aim of the scheme is to promote mechanization by subsidizing (50%) use of different machines including transplanters for increasing plant population and other agricultural implements.”
Iqbal added that apart from transplanters, equipment like nursery raising machines, specialized rice harvesters, rice straw choppers, rotavators and power sprayers would also be provided at 50% discount. The scheme targets to transform the rice industry into an ICT-supported mechanised segment.
Speaking on the occasion, Galaxy Rice Managing Director Shahid Tarer said that 55% of Pakistan’s economy relied on agriculture and rice crop was of vital importance as it earned foreign exchange worth billions of dollars for the country. “Monitoring of pesticides residue in rice crop is important,” he said. “Import Tolerance Standards are being revised periodically by the European Union, US and Gulf countries.” See details.
Source: Online/TA
File Photo[/caption]
Comment Now