Punjab government has announced wheat production competition in order to encourage the growers to bring maximum area under wheat sowing and ensure food security for the province and the country.
A dream to rehsape agricultural landscape of world
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Comprehensive plan being pursued for farmers' welfare: Zaman
Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mian Yawar Zaman said Federal and provincial governments of PML-N are pursuing a comprehensive strategy for the welfare of farmers. He said flat rate of electricity has been given for tube wells to the farmers of Punjab by Federal and provincial governments which reflects farmers-friendly policies of the government. He said all Commissioners and DCOS would be directed to eliminate hoarding and profiteering of fertilisers and set up complaint cell in every district for redressing complaints of farmers. He said provision of fertilizers at government rate would be ensured at every cost.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting in connection with holding dialogues with a representative delegation of Kissan Ittehad about prices of wheat, sugar cane and fertilisers at Irrigation Secretariat here on Saturday. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed, MPA Malik Abbas Raan, Secretary Food Punjab Aslam Kamboh, Cane Commissioner Punjab Ahmad Malik, MD National Fertiliser Company, Kissan Ittehad leaders Malik Khalid Khokhar, Mian Farooq and other representatives attended the meeting. Kissan Ittehad leaders presented their demands regarding prices of sugar cane and fertilisers. They demanded that prices of wheat and sugar cane be increased whereas prices of fertiliser should be reduced. They further demanded that the role of middleman in the sale and purchase of fertilisers be eliminated so that farmers and common man could directly benefit from the subsidy of Rs 30 billion given by the government for the provision of fertilisers.
Addressing the meeting, Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said in consultation with the Kissan Ittehad leaders, the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers would be ensured. Secretary Food Aslam Kamboh told the meeting that strict instructions have been issued to sugar mills with regard to the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers. He said sugar mills have made record payments to the farmers this year. He told the meeting that instructions have been issued to DCOs of all districts in this regard. The meeting decided that a report would be submitted to Federal Government in consultation with farmers and other stakeholders with regard to cost of wheat, its production and price of wheat as fixing of wheat prices is the responsibility of Federal Government. The meeting also decided that the decision with regard to re-fixation of sugar cane price will be taken after consultation with stakeholders and other provinces.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting in connection with holding dialogues with a representative delegation of Kissan Ittehad about prices of wheat, sugar cane and fertilisers at Irrigation Secretariat here on Saturday. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed, MPA Malik Abbas Raan, Secretary Food Punjab Aslam Kamboh, Cane Commissioner Punjab Ahmad Malik, MD National Fertiliser Company, Kissan Ittehad leaders Malik Khalid Khokhar, Mian Farooq and other representatives attended the meeting. Kissan Ittehad leaders presented their demands regarding prices of sugar cane and fertilisers. They demanded that prices of wheat and sugar cane be increased whereas prices of fertiliser should be reduced. They further demanded that the role of middleman in the sale and purchase of fertilisers be eliminated so that farmers and common man could directly benefit from the subsidy of Rs 30 billion given by the government for the provision of fertilisers.
Addressing the meeting, Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said in consultation with the Kissan Ittehad leaders, the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers would be ensured. Secretary Food Aslam Kamboh told the meeting that strict instructions have been issued to sugar mills with regard to the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers. He said sugar mills have made record payments to the farmers this year. He told the meeting that instructions have been issued to DCOs of all districts in this regard. The meeting decided that a report would be submitted to Federal Government in consultation with farmers and other stakeholders with regard to cost of wheat, its production and price of wheat as fixing of wheat prices is the responsibility of Federal Government. The meeting also decided that the decision with regard to re-fixation of sugar cane price will be taken after consultation with stakeholders and other provinces.
Scientists urged to address agriculture, rural development
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) scientists should enhance their role in addressing the issues facing the society with their outreach and research work especially for agriculture and rural development. This was stated by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing the meeting of tenure track system (TTS) teaching staff. Registrar Muhammad Hussain was also present on the stage.
The Vice Chancellor said the knowledge is generating with the large pace. It is must to transform the knowledge into goods and services in order to make progress and prosperity in the country. He said the teaching staff should develop opinion leader qualities to persuade farming community, other stakeholders and society regarding knowledge based techniques and solutions.
The Vice Chancellor said the knowledge is generating with the large pace. It is must to transform the knowledge into goods and services in order to make progress and prosperity in the country. He said the teaching staff should develop opinion leader qualities to persuade farming community, other stakeholders and society regarding knowledge based techniques and solutions.
Electricity generation: Punjab plans to make crop waste usable
Punjab government has planned to utilise, around 28 million ton crop waste including husk from wheat, cotton sticks, besides waste from rice and maize to generate electricity and has decided to set up five biomass resource power generation plants including one 20 megawatt plant in Multan to overcome electricity shortage by exploiting vast green energy potential in the province. It is officially stated on Friday.
Official sources said that 20 megawatt plants would be set up each in Multan and Faisalabad, 10 megewatt capacity plants in Kala Shah Kaku (Lahore) and Rahimyar Khan, and a 2 megawatt plant in Daska (Sialkot).
The projects would be undertaken on public-private partnership mechanism and would add 62MW electricity to the national grid after completion. Electricity generation by exploiting green energy is comparatively cheaper and environment friendly. Kahlon said, a strategy was also being prepared to ensure availability of crop biomass, its supply system, required quantity and machinery required to generate power. Experts were engaged in devising a biomass management system with a view to reduce cost of transportation of biomass to desired places. It said that crop waste processing plants would also be set up to make crop waste usable for electricity generation.
Official said that a Crop Bio Mass Cell has also been set up in Punjab agriculture department to co-ordinate with the organisations and departments having expertise in generating electricity from green energy. The cell would also assess the quantity of biomass that can be collected, and strategy for its proper storage. Information/data regarding all kind of big and small crops grown in Punjab would be conveyed to the organisations having experience of biomass power generation or engaged in research on the subject so as to find opportunities of co-operation or partnership at national and international level to achieve the objective.
According to a recent survey of Punjab Agriculture Department, around 28 million ton crop waste including husk from wheat, cotton sticks, besides waste from rice and maize can be utilised to generate electricity. Moreover, research bodies including Agriculture Mechanisation Research Institute Multan, Agriculture University Faisalabad and others were engaged in exploring alternate means of energy and to finalise a set of doable recommendations to produce electricity from crop waste. It will help the government and its partners to finalise a flawless strategy to produce green electricity. The initiative taken by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was commendable and growers should extend their full co-operation by preparing a system to collect and keep crop waste for its utilisation to generate electricity, sources said.
Official sources said that 20 megawatt plants would be set up each in Multan and Faisalabad, 10 megewatt capacity plants in Kala Shah Kaku (Lahore) and Rahimyar Khan, and a 2 megawatt plant in Daska (Sialkot).
The projects would be undertaken on public-private partnership mechanism and would add 62MW electricity to the national grid after completion. Electricity generation by exploiting green energy is comparatively cheaper and environment friendly. Kahlon said, a strategy was also being prepared to ensure availability of crop biomass, its supply system, required quantity and machinery required to generate power. Experts were engaged in devising a biomass management system with a view to reduce cost of transportation of biomass to desired places. It said that crop waste processing plants would also be set up to make crop waste usable for electricity generation.
Official said that a Crop Bio Mass Cell has also been set up in Punjab agriculture department to co-ordinate with the organisations and departments having expertise in generating electricity from green energy. The cell would also assess the quantity of biomass that can be collected, and strategy for its proper storage. Information/data regarding all kind of big and small crops grown in Punjab would be conveyed to the organisations having experience of biomass power generation or engaged in research on the subject so as to find opportunities of co-operation or partnership at national and international level to achieve the objective.
According to a recent survey of Punjab Agriculture Department, around 28 million ton crop waste including husk from wheat, cotton sticks, besides waste from rice and maize can be utilised to generate electricity. Moreover, research bodies including Agriculture Mechanisation Research Institute Multan, Agriculture University Faisalabad and others were engaged in exploring alternate means of energy and to finalise a set of doable recommendations to produce electricity from crop waste. It will help the government and its partners to finalise a flawless strategy to produce green electricity. The initiative taken by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was commendable and growers should extend their full co-operation by preparing a system to collect and keep crop waste for its utilisation to generate electricity, sources said.
Wheat quota of flour mill suspended
Sindh food department on Thursday raided flour mills and suspended wheat quota of a flour mill. After receiving several complaints on the price issue, the food department has decided to take strict action against the flour mills that are selling wheat flour above the fixed price.
Although, Sindh food department has fixed wheat flour price of Rs 395 for per 10-kg bag. However, the commodity is not available at this rate in the market and millers are selling commodity at higher rates.
Flour mills and Chakki owners have increased wheat prices by Rs 2 per kilogram during last two days due to short supply of wheat grains. Presently, Chakki flour is being sold at Rs 50-52 per-kg. While, regular wheat flour price has surged to Rs 43 per kg as against fixed price of Rs 39.5 per kg.
Food department on Thursday conducted raid on a flour mill located at site area and suspended its wheat quota for non compliance of price condition. During the raid it found that the mill is being sold flour at Rs 42.5 per kg, some Rs 3 per kg higher than fixed price. Naseer Ahmed Jamali secretary food has also suspended Qamar Bhutto food inspector on the negligence of his duties.
Millers said that wheat grain prices at the open market are gradually increasing, therefore, they are compelled to increase the commodity prices.
Although, Sindh food department has fixed wheat flour price of Rs 395 for per 10-kg bag. However, the commodity is not available at this rate in the market and millers are selling commodity at higher rates.
Flour mills and Chakki owners have increased wheat prices by Rs 2 per kilogram during last two days due to short supply of wheat grains. Presently, Chakki flour is being sold at Rs 50-52 per-kg. While, regular wheat flour price has surged to Rs 43 per kg as against fixed price of Rs 39.5 per kg.
Food department on Thursday conducted raid on a flour mill located at site area and suspended its wheat quota for non compliance of price condition. During the raid it found that the mill is being sold flour at Rs 42.5 per kg, some Rs 3 per kg higher than fixed price. Naseer Ahmed Jamali secretary food has also suspended Qamar Bhutto food inspector on the negligence of his duties.
Millers said that wheat grain prices at the open market are gradually increasing, therefore, they are compelled to increase the commodity prices.
Gwadar port: 49,387 tons of urea shipment arrives
First shipment of 49,387 tons of urea, imported by the state run grain trader, has reached Gwadar port on Thursday. In October this year, the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC), of the Cabinet,. directed Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to import 0.5 million tons urea to ensure sufficient urea supply during upcoming crop season.
Following the directives of ECC, TCP successfully awarded five tenders to the five different parties for the import of 0.5 million tons of urea. First consignment under this import has reached on December 5, 2013 from Oman, sources said.
As per schedule given by the supplier, the first ship namely "MV Bulk Costarica" carrying about 49,387 tons of urea has berthed at Gwadar port. Another shipment of 50,000 tons is scheduled to arrive on December 9/10, 2013.
Besides import of urea from international market, TCP is also importing commodity from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) against $100 million credit grant of Saudi Fund for Development. Under the credit facility so far some 164,000 tons of urea has reached Pakistan, while remaining quantity will arrive till December 2013.
It may be mentioned here that TCP is only responsible for import of urea, while its distribution, transportation and bagging will be handled by M/s. National Fertiliser Marketing Limited (NFML) to ensure timely availability of urea in the local market.
Following the directives of ECC, TCP successfully awarded five tenders to the five different parties for the import of 0.5 million tons of urea. First consignment under this import has reached on December 5, 2013 from Oman, sources said.
As per schedule given by the supplier, the first ship namely "MV Bulk Costarica" carrying about 49,387 tons of urea has berthed at Gwadar port. Another shipment of 50,000 tons is scheduled to arrive on December 9/10, 2013.
Besides import of urea from international market, TCP is also importing commodity from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) against $100 million credit grant of Saudi Fund for Development. Under the credit facility so far some 164,000 tons of urea has reached Pakistan, while remaining quantity will arrive till December 2013.
It may be mentioned here that TCP is only responsible for import of urea, while its distribution, transportation and bagging will be handled by M/s. National Fertiliser Marketing Limited (NFML) to ensure timely availability of urea in the local market.
Government considers construction of KBD vital for Punjab: Punjab PA told
Provincial Minister for Irrigation on Thursday told Punjab Assembly that the government considered construction of Kalabagh Dam as vital for the province. Responding a question of MPA Dr. Wasim, the minister said that the opposition should help government in its efforts for construction of KBD and urged him to ask his government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to show a positive approach in this regard.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal asked certain legislators including Irrigation Minister Yawar Zaman, Dr. Wasim, Mahmud-ur-Rashid, Sibtain Shah, Mian Naim and Muhammad Rafiq to come to his chamber for evolving a consensus on Kalabagh Dam.
Responding a call attention notice, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told the house that 35 people including five policemen had been arrested for their alleged involvement in Rawalpindi violence.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal asked certain legislators including Irrigation Minister Yawar Zaman, Dr. Wasim, Mahmud-ur-Rashid, Sibtain Shah, Mian Naim and Muhammad Rafiq to come to his chamber for evolving a consensus on Kalabagh Dam.
Responding a call attention notice, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told the house that 35 people including five policemen had been arrested for their alleged involvement in Rawalpindi violence.
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