FAISALABAD - Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday held out assurances to agriculture researchers of formulation of a four-tier service structure system for them within a month.
In his address at an Iftar dinner at the Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), the law minister also said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had called a summary from the agriculture secretary in this respect.
Acknowledging the role of the AARI in the country, Sanaullah noted that the research institute had brought a green revolution by evolving over 420 new species of hybrid seeds of various cash crops having more yield and more resistance to different viral diseases and pest attacks. He also assured AARI researchers that a better service structure would be given to them in lieu of their invaluable services to the nation.
In his briefing to the law minister, Research Director General Dr Noorul Islam said that a record production of wheat had been achieved in the last four years, while 12 million bales of cotton yielded this year comprised a record in the country’s history too.
He said that research scholars in the field of agronomy and plant-breeding should be given credit to resolve the issue of food insecurity in Pakistan. “If the hybrid species of wheat like “Inqlab” and “Sehar” were not introduced by the AARI, the nation could not have achieved autarchy and self-sufficiency in food and agriculture,” added Islam.
“Our amber-coloured wheat has maximum content of gluten all over the world. We can capture the markets of Mideast, particularly of Iran, by focusing on value addition of wheat production.”
The director general informed the minister that the AARI had been successful to introduce 54 new varieties of seeds of various crops during the last 4 years that resulted in prosperity of small farmers across the province.
“The yield of acetic fruits has been enhanced to such an extent that more than 250 units of kino processing are working day and night in Sargodha to preserve the extra production of kino for export purposes.” Islam also disclosed that as compared to 1947, when Pakistan came into existence, agriculture scientists had succeeded in enhancing wheat production up to 700 per cent and of sugarcane up to 8 per cent.
He suggested to the minister to advocate the creation of larger cultivation units in the province on the basis of cooperative movement so that cultivators could be enabled to make maximum use of research work of the AARI. Besides, the government could materialize the supply of agricultural inputs on subsidised rates to the actual cultivators to make Pakistan a glowing example of success all over the world, concluded the director general.
Man charged with Telegraph Act: A case under Telegraph Act was registered against Mohammad Shahid on the report of Tariq Lodhi here the other day.
According to details, accused Mohammad Shahid had sent objectionable SMS to the complainant’s wife and son. Police have started investigation.
BNAP CHIEF LEAVES FOR UK: Bahawalpur National Awami Party (BNAP) Chief Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi along with his wife left for London on a personal visit. During his visit, he will meet notable of Pakistani community including Bahawalpuri’s businessmen. NEW TMO ASSUMES CHARGE: Mohammad Saleem Aamar Bhatti has taken over the charge of as Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Ahmedpur East. Earlier, Mohammad Saleem Bhatti had served as TMO Alipur and Assistant Director Local Government Department.
CASE UNDER 16 MPO: The police have registered a case against Amir Muaweya Sodha under 16-MPO on the charge of delivering objectionable speech against his opponent sect.
I-Day: Brisk preparations underway: Preparations for celebrations of Independence Day are in full swing in the district. The people, especially children and youth are buying flags, bunting, caps, stickers and badges from makeshift stalls set up for the sale of decoration items.
The national flags have been fluttering atop at most of the city houses and shops and people are decorating their streets and bazaars. The social, religious and political parties are arranging seminars, speeches and sports competitions to mark the occasion in their own style.
The day will dawn with special prayers in mosques for the stability, solidarity, progress and prosperity of the country.
The flag hoisting ceremony will be held at 9am at district Complex wherein DCO Muhammad Asif will be the chief gues. Parliamentarians, political leaders and notables will attend the ceremony.