ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that a Prime Minister Emergency Programme was being launched to enhance cotton production in the country.
Responding to a query during Question Hour, he said new seed varieties will be provided to the farmers
to enhance the productivity of cotton crop.
He said incentives will also be given to the farmers to woo them to grow cotton. The minister said that efforts were being made to regain the areas of cotton growers, shifted to other crops. However, he said “Incentives must be announced to encourage the farmers to grow cotton.” He said that the government was committed to enhancing the cotton cultivation areas.
Ali Muhammad Khan said that government was taking all possible steps to enhance the production
of cotton in future. The government was planning to allocate considerable funds for cotton under PM
emergency program, he added.
He said that in collaboration with provincial governments, capacity building programs will be launched
for growers and field staff of agriculture department.The government was also seriously considering an intervention and budgetary allocation of funds for public procurement, he added.
The minister said “Grower’s awareness programme for climate change will be further strengthened”.
He said that Sindh Seed Council had recently approved two new cottonseed varieties developed
by Central Cotton Research Institute Sakrand whereas two new varieties developed by Central Cotton
Research Institute, Multan were under consideration by Punjab Seed Council.
