Budget for seed procurement of all major crops by the Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) amounting Rs 3045.41 million has been approved for the year 2012-13. Minister for Agriculture Punjab, Malik Ahmad Ali has chaired the Board of Directors meeting here on Tuesday. Additional Secretary Agriculture (Planning) Sumaira Samad, Deputy Secretary Finance Zubair Waheed, Chairman (P&D) Muhammad Baqar Mufti, Managing Director (PSC) Captain (Retd) Sher Alam Mahsud, Deputy Managing Director Dr Ajmal Shah, Director Agricultural Information Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar and other officials were also present in the meeting.
It was approved to procure 60,000 metric tons of wheat and after processing provision of wheat seed of 39,853 metric tons to farmers for rabi season 2012-13. Similarly 5,000 metric tons and 3,000 metric tons of cotton and paddy seeds respectively will be provided to farmers to get maximum production of these crops having a vital role in agriculture production. Punjab Seed Corporation will get Rs 106.48 million estimated profits for the year 2012-13 after deducting all cost and taxes. Board of Directors approved cash credit limit of Rs 1.700 billion for the procurement of wheat seeds for PSC.
Minister for Agriculture Punjab Malik Ahmad Ali has directed Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) to ensure sale of high yielding, disease/insect pest resistant quality seeds of crops to farmers for productivity enhancement. He underlined to implement an effective, scientific mechanism of seeds procurement, processing, packaging and marketing for availability of quality seeds with special emphasis on procurement of seeds according to demand of farming community.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
