Apropos upon a news report regarding a year of gloom for agriculture sector published in “Profit”, Lahore on 28th December, 2011, the spokesman of Agriculture Department has clarified that supply of agricultural inputs and imposition of RGST on fertiliser are responsibility of the federal government. Clarifying some aspects of the news, the spokesman said production of all major crops in Punjab has remarkably increased since 2007-08. The spokesman further said wheat production of 18.42, 18.24 and 19.04 million tonnes during 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, was achieved as compared to 15.60 million tonnes in 2007-08. This marked an increase of 18.02 per cent, 16.87 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively. Similarly, record rice production of 3.643 and 3.713 million tonnes was achieved during 2008-09 and 2009-10, as compared to 3.28 million tonnes in 2007-08, which marked an increase of 10.86 per cent and 12.99 per cent, respectively. Sugarcane production of 37.5 and 42.8 million tonnes was achieved during 2010-11 and 2011-12 which marked an increase of 19.7per cent and 36.74 per cent against 31.3 million tonnes production of 2009-10. The spokesman added that now Punjab government has entered into certification regime to produce fully traceable agricultural and livestock products to reach high end markets of the developed world and to enhance exports for which Rs2.024 billion has been allocated to improve supply chain of selected agricultural and livestock products for improving quality and introducing traceability as per international standards and requirements. In the history of Pakistan, 15-20 fully traceable fruits, vegetables, rice and meat products will be showcased at forthcoming International Green Week, Berlin, Germany during January 2012 for which capacity of about 25 exhibitors has been built for compliance of Global GAP and IFS standards.
