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Crackdown against sub-standard fertiliser sellers directed

Crackdown against sub-standard fertiliser sellers directed
ZAHID BAIG
LAHORE (February 07 2010): The Punjab government has directed the officers of the agriculture department to immediately launch a wide-range crackdown against those selling fake or sub-standard pesticides, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs. The officers were also directed to ensure sale of urea and DAP fertilisers at the government prescribed rates, in the province.
These directions were issued here Saturday by the Punjab Minister for Agriculture Ahmad Ali Aulakh while chairing a meeting of the district agriculture officers, deputed through out the province. Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr Anjum Ali was also present on this occasion.
The minister expressed his concern that the sale of spurious fertilisers was causing loss to the farmers by affecting per acre yield. He said that immediate steps should be taken to control this trend. He warned that strict action should be taken against the district agriculture officer concerned where fertilisers are sold on rates higher than the official ones.
Aulakh urged the officers of the department to convince the growers to use weedicides recommended by the agricultural experts so as to get the maximum per acre yield of wheat. He also issued orders for devising a solid strategy to get the maximum per acre yield of next cotton crop.
He directed the officers of the agricultural extension wing to pay attention on demonstration plots and "farmers field days" to create awareness amongst the farmers about the latest technologies. He said that developmental projects being taken out under Annual Develop Programme (ADP) should be completed in time so as to achieve the goal in agriculture production. Otherwise, he cautioned, the officer concerned would be taken responsible for delay and action would be taken against them.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010

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