Punjab plans agri reforms to boost productivity: minister
Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated this while speaking at a workshop 'current state of agriculture and planning for Punjab 2025–26' held on Thursday with the collaboration of the Punjab Agriculture Department, the Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE), and the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition (PAC).
The minister stressed that the establishment of virtual and electronic markets for agricultural commodity marketing is the need of the hour. He said the purpose of this consultative session is to engage stakeholders to assess the current status of agriculture and devise a future roadmap. He emphasized that the main focus is on enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability and ensure their sustainability. The government is committed to securing fair prices for farmers' produce.
Highlighting the 'Transforming Agriculture Punjab' programme, he said a zero-interest loan of Rs 30 billion has been introduced to promote mechanization. The government is constructing 10 agri malls next year to provide agricultural machinery on a rental basis while construction of four agri malls is already 98 percent complete.
The minister further stated that the chief minister is focusing on high-efficiency irrigation systems, research, and the supply of climate-resilient seeds. Under Phase I of the Kissan Card programme, Rs 57 billion in loans have been distributed to 525,000 farmers, out of which 98 percent have repaid their loans.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Usama Khan Leghari said that it is imperative to reduce crop production costs and increase per-acre yield. He noted that the Kissan Card programme has reduced input costs by 70 percent. He urged the government to focus more on agricultural research.
Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo stated that Punjab contributes 70 percent to the country's agriculture and that practical steps are being taken to transform the sector. He emphasized the importance of corporate and cluster farming to meet modern agricultural demands and acknowledged that climate change presents a serious challenge to the sector. He also highlighted the Green Pakistan Initiative as a remarkable project of the government.
Director General of the Green Corporate Initiative Pakistan, Major General Shahid Nazir, said that to turn the dream of agricultural transformation into reality, the government must address the instability in farmers' product pricing. He stressed the need to educate farmers on expanding cultivated land and to adopt modern technology, collect data, and benefit from agricultural experts to promote mechanization.
During the workshop, stakeholders and private sector representatives held detailed discussions on the availability of farm inputs and improving farm economics. They focused on increasing per-acre yield and managing crop diversification. Another session offered consultations on mitigating the effects of climate change, restoring soil health, and ensuring adequate water availability. The fourth session emphasized the need for collective efforts to improve the agri-commodity marketing system.
Participants included President of the Bank of Punjab Zafar Masud, Vice Chancellors of agricultural universities, Shehzad Malik from Guard Agri, stakeholders involved in agricultural production, and representatives from private companies. A large number of participants also joined the session online.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
JI to stage sit-ins against ‘sugar mafia' today
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced that the party will stage protest sit-ins across Islamabad and all divisional headquarters today (Sunday) against the exploitative 'sugar mafia' and hike in electricity, gas, and petrol prices. He also declared the launch of 'Give Rights to Balochistan' long march from Quetta on July 25 which will eventually head toward Islamabad. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday, Rehman criticized the government's anti-people economic policies and the main opposition parties' passivity. 'When it comes to their personal gains, all factions unite and approve 300 percent raises in their own salaries.' He said the government deceived the people with false claims like a Rs. 7.41 per unit reduction in electricity rates which never materialized. The petrol prices, he added, continue to rise every 15 days despite declining global rates. 'The imposition of the slab system and continued hikes in electricity and gas prices are nothing short of fraud against the public. We demand the end of the slab system and the removal of unjust taxes from electricity bills,' he stated. Rehman lashed out at the sugar mafia, noting that 90 percent of the country's 89 sugar mills are controlled by the ruling parties and influential figures. 'Dealerships are handed to unregistered agents who are protected by every government. Sugar prices have surged from Rs. 140 to Rs. 200 per kg, imposing a heavy burden on the people,' he said. He revealed that gas wells were deliberately shut down on instructions from the Petroleum Division, resulting in a $1.5 billion loss to the national economy. He said the past governments entered RLNG agreements against national interests. The JI chief stressed the need for aggressive diplomatic efforts on Kashmir, referencing the July 19, 1947 resolution passed at the residence of Sardar Ibrahim Khan for accession to Pakistan. 'Today, Kashmiris worldwide are observing 'Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan'. Pakistan must push forward a bold Kashmir policy. Any international mediation that undermines the wishes of the Kashmiri people is unacceptable,' he emphasized. Hafiz Rehman reiterated that India and the US are behind the unrest in Balochistan. He emphasised empowering local populations and announced that grand jirgas would soon be held in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to address regional grievances. Regarding the upcoming 'Balochistan Rights March', he warned the government against obstructing it: 'If the government tries to stop this peaceful democratic movement, it will bear responsibility for the consequences.' The JI leader also raised concerns about lawlessness in Sindh's riverine areas, pointing to the unhindered flow of weapons, the abduction of minority traders, and the PPP's failure to maintain law and order. Calling on the youth to join Jamaat-e-Islami, he remarked that the ruling elite and opposition are united only in safeguarding their own interests, showing indifference to the struggles of ordinary citizens. Criticizing the recent decision on reserved seats, he termed it a murder of justice, stating that even the affected parties failed to raise their voices and instead became part of the deal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Disallowing expenditure: Govt likely to increase limit to Rs2.5m
ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to increase the limit from Rs200,000 to Rs 2.5 million for disallowing expenditure attributable to cash sales exceeding Rs2.5 million per transaction. Tax experts told Business Recorder that the amendment to Section 24 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, which prohibits the deduction of expenses for cash sales exceeding Rs200,000 has generated considerable concern within the business community. The new provision introduced through Finance Act 2025 has been implemented from July 1, 2025. The government has now proposed to implement this law in phase-wise manner to protect the revenue collection, as well as, ensure documentation. This law would be fully implemented in three years period, sources said. Under the proposed revised law, the law would be fully implemented in three years period in phases. In the first year, the amount of Rs200,000 has been proposed to be increased to Rs 2.5 million for disallowing expenditure per transaction. In the second year, the amount would be decreased from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 1.5 million and subsequently to Rs 0.5 million. The percentage of disallowance would be decreased from 50 percent to 20 percent which would be gradually increased in three years period, the new proposal said. According to the details, the disallowance introduced via Section 24 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 pertains exclusively to the head 'Income from Business', as defined under Section 18. This provision disallows 50 per cent of expenditure attributable to cash sales exceeding Rs200,000 per transaction as per Finance Act 2025. Hence, the restriction applies solely to business income and is not applicable to individuals or entities earning income under any other head under the Finance Act 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
2nd phase of ‘Suthra Punjab Programme' launched
LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched the Suthra Punjab Program into the next phase of waste recycling in which landfill sites considered an environmental challenge will be converted into national assets. Under this initiative, Pakistan is expected to earn Rs 1 billion annually from the carbon credit of the Lakhodare waste dumping site located on the outskirts of the provincial capital; the carbon credit will be claimed under Article 6 of the Paris Accord. The Lakhodare site can produce 20 tons of biogas. The Punjab government also plans to build a recycling park on the outskirts of Lahore under this project. In this connection, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting on Saturday to consider various options for waste recycling. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Additional Secretary for Development Ahmer Kaifi and others attended the meeting. On this occasion, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Babar Sahib Din briefed the meeting on various options for waste recycling. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that a plan to generate energy from offal is under consideration; 1000 tonnes of energy can be generated from offal in Lahore alone. He directed the concerned officials to hold a road show in Lahore or Islamabad to promote the waste-to-energy projects, saying foreign diplomats would be invited to the road show. 'It will also be held abroad to attract investors,' he said, adding that the waste will be utilised in other cities after Lahore under this programme. On this occasion, Punjab Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed the LWMC CEO to make a comprehensive presentation for the Chief Minister. He said that waste is being made usable all over the world because recycling is the solution to the environmental damage caused by waste. Babar Sahib Din said that a 50 MW power plant project is also under consideration with the cooperation of the Punjab Energy Department. 'A large amount of waste is collected in Lahore every day under the Clean Punjab, and many domestic and foreign companies have shown interest in recycling waste,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
