LAHORE: The Punjab government will give Rs 20 billion subsidy on fertilizers to the farmers, while Rs 25 billion subsidy will be given on electricity used for agricultural purposes.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed said this while talking to a delegation of farmers. He said that soft term loans are being issued after consultation with representatives of farmers and the chief minister will personally announce it. He said that these loans will be completely interest free and Punjab government will pay its markup.
The minister informed the delegation that according to report of World Food Organization, the prices of agri products will remain low up to 2019 and these world circumstances are also affecting Pakistan. He said that due to these circumstances the prices of agri crops were reduced in Pakistan and the farmers were not provided due return of their produce.
He said that government gave subsidised rate of wheat on Rs 1300 per maund to the farmers. He said that government is working on a number of projects for facilitating the farmers despite limited resources and difficult situation. He said that Punjab government is providing subsidy of more than 50 percent to the farmers on procurement of agri equipments and various agri equipments have been distributed throughout Punjab.
The Minister said that government is working with the consultation of representatives of the farmers on the project of provision of tractors on subsidy. He said that agriculture is backbone of our economy and we not only earn precious foreign exchange but also livelihood of people is associated with it.
