The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has chaired a review meeting on the implementation of the farmer package and solarization of agricultural tubes across the nation.
The meeting was told by the Power Division that the government is in the final stages of its plan to shift diesel and electric-powered tubes to solar through the solarization of agricultural tubes.
The move will save $ 3.61 billion annually in the country’s diesel and imported fuels. Praise the Prime Minister’s Power Minister, Secretary Power and his team’s suggestions to shift the tubes to solar power.
In the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed about the farmer’s package, wheat sowing and production, the introduction of modern seeds in cotton and steps to increase the production of edible oil. The meeting was told that loans worth Rs 816.5 billion have been provided due to the government’s measures to facilitate loans to small farmers. In addition, the government is taking steps to reduce fertilizer prices, use of modern machinery in agriculture and solarization of tube wells.
The meeting was further informed that due to the government’s actions, 6 lakh 32 thousand hectares of edible oil seeds were cultivated this year, which is expected to increase next year. Regarding cotton, the meeting was told that the Ministry of National Food Security is in contact with international companies to introduce modern generation seeds and climate resilient seeds and is expected to make positive progress very soon.
The Prime Minister has issued directives to ensure implementation of all these measures within a period of time. The Prime Minister said that the government is taking urgent steps for the early transition of agricultural tubes to solar energy. Not only by shifting the tubes to solar energy Farmers’ cost per acre will reduce, but reliance on diesel and imported fuels will save precious exchange gold.
The implementation of the farmer package is the top priority of the government, he said. The government is taking steps for agriculture development and farmer’s prosperity. The farmer package facilitates small farmers to get loans, timely delivery of seeds, encourage modern machinery in agriculture and tubewells including shifting to solar energy. All farmers’ organisations across the country should be made part of the consultation regarding the farmer package and consultation and cooperation with provinces should also be ensured for its implementation.
The Prime Minister said that a committee of strategic experts should be formed in consultation to further increase edible oil production and measures to introduce innovative and climate-resistant seeds should be quickly finalized to increase cotton production.
