Lahore,: Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Amir Mir emphasized the pivotal role of the cotton crop in Punjab’s economic development and its significance in providing rural employment. While the federal government initially set the cotton price at 8500 rupees per maund and duly notified it, the lack of procurement at this fixed rate has led to a decline, with prices now hovering between 6 to 7 thousand rupees per maund, resulting in substantial losses for farmers. A prolonged continuation of this situation may dissuade farmers from engaging in cotton cultivation next year. The Punjab government urges the federal authorities to promptly commence cotton procurement at the agreed-upon price and fulfill their commitment.
During a joint press conference at the DGPR office, Provincial Agriculture Minister SM Tanveer, accompanied by Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir, underscored that cotton production is a shared responsibility between the provinces and the federal government, which is accountable for the procurement process. They highlighted the need for prompt action in this regard.
Provincial Agriculture Minister SM Tanveer detailed the measures taken under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to boost cotton production and initiate a rehabilitation program for the crop. Anticipating a two-and-a-half-fold increase in cotton production compared to the previous year, he emphasized the significance of the textile sector, employing a staggering one crore individuals. He further outlined initiatives, including the approval of 11 cotton varieties in the Punjab Seed Council, seed subsidies, crackdowns on counterfeit medicines, and mobilization of the irrigation department for water availability. Competitions were organized at multiple levels to reward cotton farmers. When a whitefly infestation threatened the crop, the government deployed significant resources, including 2 helicopters and 8 drones provided by the military for spraying. A total of 5 crores rupees for sprays from APTMA, 10 crores from Engro, and free sprays on 1.5 lakh acres by the government were administered. Unfortunately, the federal government’s failure to engage the Trading Corporation of Pakistan for purchasing cotton at the agreed price has left farmers disheartened. The call is for the federal government to procure the cotton crop from farmers at the fixed price.
Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab has conveyed a resolute message to farmers, urging them not to settle for subpar prices for their hard-earned produce. The Punjab government stands firmly with the farmers, and will continue to do so.
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