LAHORE: The Punjab government is set to announce Rs100 bullion package for the growers under a two-year programme in the provincial budget for fiscal year 2016-17 on Monday.
Sources said that the 10-point Khadim-e-Punjab Kissan Package would cover short-term measures, while 5-point package would be for medium-term under the Annual Development Programme. As many as 11 schemes prepared by the provincial Livestock and Dairy Development Department amounting to Rs10 billion have also been included in the package, along with Rs10 billion worth of three schemes pitched by the provincial irrigation department.
The major thrust of the kissan package would be to introduce high-tech agriculture in the province. One of the main components of the package was to set up a network of High-tech Mechanisation Service Centres. Farmers would be provided state-of-the-art bulldozers, harvesters and other agriculture implements on cost-effective measures through these centres. This intervention would help improve production, reduce input costs and lessen produce losses.
Under the package, the provision of seed drills and precision planters could increase wheat yield by 17 percent. Weed control machinery would enhance cotton yield by 27 percent. An additional 20 percent increase in cotton production could be achieved through the introduction of banding seed drill and foliar applicator to the farmers. Moreover, to address the problem of inadequate pest control, air assisted and suspended boom sprayers, could boost crop productivity by 30-40 percent.
To tackle the problem of low organic matter, it was advised to provide crop residues incorporation machinery that could help increase yield up to 30 percent. New combines or spike tooth drums for old combines would reduce rice damage by 25 percent.
