LAHORE:The newly-appointed Chinese Consul General in Lahore Sun Yan stated that Chinese experts would provide technical support to address challenges being faced by the agriculture sector in Pakistan due to climate change.
He said this during his visit to Agriculture House Lahore where he also attended a briefing regarding collaboration between the two counties.
Speaking on the occasion, Sun Yan added that China will fully cooperate with Punjab govt to promote smart agriculture. He noted that collaboration with Punjab’s agriculture sector is among his key priorities.
The meeting was attended by the Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Secretary Livestock Ahmad Aziz Tarar, Agriculture Information Punjab DG Naveed Asmat Kahloon and other officers. Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that under the leadership of CM Punjab, multiple initiatives are being implemented to increase agricultural production. He further stated that interest-free loans exceeding Rs200 billion are being provided to 800,000 farmers through the Kisan Card and the purchase of agricultural inputs through this card is positively impacting per-acre crop yield.
He noted that the current govt has spent Rs66 billion to promote mechanisation in the agriculture sector. Additionally, under a one-stop solution for farmers, four Agri Malls are functional while ten are under construction. To control smog, 10,000 super seeders are being provided on subsidy. Kirmani emphasised that China’s cooperation is required to remove barriers in frozen meat exports. Eight compartments have been established in the livestock sector for foot-and-mouth disease-free animals, he added.
