Under the third phase of Sindh Agriculture Department’s schemes with the motto of “Prosperous Sindh – Prosperous and Happy Hari”, 6,000 tractors on subsidised rate were distributed through computerised balloting among growers.
The department had received 18,506 applications for the subsidised tractors. Previously, 8,736 tractors have been distributed on subsidised rate through computerised balloting.
While performing the balloting for the tractors at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that agriculture is the backbone of Sindh economy and the provincial government is doing its best for the progress and development of the agriculture sector to maximise the yield per acre of various crops.
Shah said it is the policy of PPP to provide maximum facilities to the growers to equip them with latest trends and technologies for improvement in the agriculture sector for achieving highest production in crops.
Due to the government’s concerted efforts, the average yield of crops per acre has increased up to 29 percent.
More than 65 percent population in the province depend directly or indirectly on agriculture.
Three years ago, Sindh had imported wheat but it is now self-sufficient in edible items and is also exporting some food items.
Regarding the increase in prices of inputs like fertilisers and seeds, the chief minister said that due to the increase in prices of diesel, transportation and shortage of electricity and gas, the price of fertilizer and seed had increased.
He stressed upon investors, agriculturists and growers to encourage agro-based industries in the province, which is very essential for progress of agriculture in the province. He added that many items are dependent on agriculture and people particularly the growers are paying taxes on various items.
He said that at present there are talks at secretary level with the federal government regarding the province’s share of water.
Regarding shortage of Bardana (gunny bags), the chief minister said that due to late sowing in lower Sindh, the harvesting process was also late. Keeping in view the expected heavy rains, harvesting process must be completed soon.
“We will maximise the procurement of wheat, for which food and agriculture departments are there to look after the interests of growers,” he added.
Earlier, Sindh Agriculture Secretary Aijaz Ali Khan presented a welcoming address, highlighting the perspective of computerised balloting of the scheme, provision of assistance to farmers on purchase of 6,000 tractors in Sindh.
He said that the subsidy of Rs 1.6 billion was provided for the purpose with a subsidy of Rs 200,000 on small tractors and Rs 300,000 on large tractors is being provided to the growers.
The Agriculture secretary said that Rs 650 million have been spent on other schemes aimed at the progress of agriculture sector.
Sindh Chamber of Agriculture President Dr Nadeem Qamar and Abdul Majeed Nizamani also addressed the ceremony.
The ceremony was also attended by provincial ministers Ali Nawaz Shah, Murad Ali Shah, Shazia Marri, Jam Madad Ali, MPAs Anwar Mahar, Dr Abdul Sattar Rajpar, Imran Leghari, Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Motiwala and Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas among other provincial secretaries and agriculturists.
