Rs53.19bn proposed for agriculture.

LAHORE -- According to the budget document, the Punjab government proposed allocation of Rs53.19 billion for the agriculture sector, out of which Rs14.77bn will be spent on sectoral development and the rest on recurring charges.

The budget document says the previous government handed the sector over to 'mafia', which monopolised trade and brought the sector to a position where the country, despite having agriculture economy, faced wheat and sugar crises.

'The present government inherited the challenging task of controlling these mafias and meeting wheat procurement targets. It not only met the challenge but surpassed it,' says the document. It ensures announced support price for farmers as well.

In addition, the Punjab is planning to promote incentive-based zoning of crops so that each crop is developed to its full potential. The government is running Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Programme to introduce latest technological changes in the sector and make farm practices tech-savvy. The government is allocating Rs3.65bn for the purpose.

It says the research and development has been a weak link of the provincial agriculture. The government will start eight new projects for seed development of high-value crops. Similarly, Rs18.33bn have been put aside for improvement of watercourses.

The role of Extension Service cannot be exaggerated. The Punjab proposes allocation of Rs3.88bn for Farmers Facilitation through Modern Extension.

LIVESTOCK: The total proposed allocation for the livestock sector, which now forms over 60pc of the agriculture sector, is Rs19.40bn this year, while Rs4.29bn are set aside for development of the sector.

The province plans to establish a sub-campus of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Lahore) in Chichawatni at a cost of Rs2.85bn. It also proposes Rs1.58bn for some missing facilities at other centres in the province. Another Rs346m are proposed for developing a 'Livestock Complex' at Multan. The provincial livestock experimental stations will get...

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