LAHORE: Sustainable steps are being taken to increase the production of tomatoes and onions under the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif to permanently address inflation and hoarding.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif introduced a special program to increase tomato and onion cultivation. 3 billion rupees will be spent on the launching of the Punjab Agriculture Transformation Project.
This is a unique and first-ever project of 3 billion rupees for mechanized farming in Punjab, in which 70% subsidy has been announced on planters, pruners, uppers and other agricultural equipment for automatic vegetable farming.
Pulping units, dryers and graders will also get 70% subsidy for value addition of onion and tomato. In this regard, districts of Lodhran, Multan and Wahari have been selected for onion cultivation while Khushab, Sheikhupura and Muzaffargarh have been selected for tomato cultivation.
It has been decided to form farmer enterprise groups of land owners up to 25 acres in 6 districts. For whom training in modern agriculture and smart cultivation methods will be organized in the Farmers Field School while these farmer groups will also be connected to the international market.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that tomatoes, onions are common man’s use, which cannot be allowed to be sold at high prices, group and mechanized farming will not only increase the production but also reduce the cost.
