LAHORE, Oct 28 (APP):Markazi Kisan League Chairman Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Olakh on Wednesday welcomed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s announcements regarding agricultural development and water conservation, saying their effective implementation could strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture sector and food security.
In a statement, he said the Kisan League had consistently demanded government procurement of wheat at Rs4,500 per maund (40kg), water conservation measures and the establishment of agricultural processing units. He urged the government to ensure direct procurement of wheat and eliminate the role of middlemen and private companies in the purchasing process to enable farmers to receive fair prices for their produce.
Olakh said establishing agricultural processing units in clusters across different regions could reduce crop losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
He said agriculture and farmers were the backbone of the national economy and their problems could not be resolved through temporary initiatives. He stressed the need for consistent, long-term policies to address structural challenges in the agriculture sector, adding that government announcements must translate into practical results rather than remain on paper.
The Kisan League chairman also described the federal government’s plan to spend Rs5,000 billion over the next decade on improving water resources as significant. He called for an integrated approach to constructing dams and canals, alongside the proposed development of 400 small dams in the Potohar region.
He further urged the government to invest in modern warehouses and food storage facilities, saying efficient storage systems could reduce post-harvest losses, preserve food supplies and strengthen national food security.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
