Pakistan : Paddy cultivated over 6.7m acres in Punjab
Punjab has cultivated over 6.7 million acres of paddy this season, with the government focusing on timely harvesting, wheat sowing and stronger rice exports. Authorities promoted modern harvesters and subsidised super seeders to reduce residue burning, while urging exporters to expand international market access.
LAHORE: Paddy has been cultivated over 6.7 million acres in Punjab during the current season, prompting the provincial government to step up measures for timely harvesting, wheat sowing after paddy and improvement in rice exports, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Shakeel Ahmad Mian said on Saturday.
He was speaking at a meeting of the Provincial Rice Management Committee held at the Civil Secretariat, Lahore, to review the current paddy crop, harvesting arrangements, wheat cultivation after paddy harvesting and measures to enhance rice exports.
Additional Secretary Agriculture (Task Force) Muhammad Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Directors General Agriculture Muhammad Shahbaz Akhtar, Naveed Asmat Kahloon and Dr Aamir Rasool, representatives of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan and other stakeholders attended the meeting.
Shakeel Ahmad Mian said Basmati rice was an identity of Punjab and called for coordinated measures to improve its production, quality and export potential.
The secretary directed the concerned officers to provide farmers with technical guidance on paddy harvesting and ensure the safe use of agricultural pesticides during the pre-harvest interval (PHI). He also stressed promoting the use of Kubota and modern harvesters to ensure timely completion of the paddy harvesting process.
Regarding wheat cultivation after paddy, Shakeel Ahmad Mian said the Punjab government had provided 10,000 super seeders to farmers at subsidised rates. He directed that wheat should preferably be cultivated using super seeders after paddy harvesting.
He said the practice would help discourage the burning of crop residues and facilitate timely wheat cultivation. He added that the strategy formulated to control smog caused by the burning of paddy and other crop residues was being implemented in letter and spirit.
The secretary also urged the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan to adopt a more proactive approach to expanding access to international rice markets and increasing the country’s rice export volume.
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Source : Business Recorder
