The Punjab Agriculture Department has stepped up efforts to prevent rice crop residue burning as part of the provincial government’s anti-smog drive, with 10,000 super-seeders being provided to farmers at subsidized rates.
Punjab Agriculture and Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the department’s anti-smog measures.
He said 177 control rooms were operational across the province to monitor and respond to smog-related issues. He directed the department to intensify its awareness campaign against crop residue burning and ensure close monitoring by field officers in rice-growing areas.
Kirmani said the department was following a zero-tolerance policy against crop residue burning and directed officials to ensure that rice residue was disposed of through scientific methods.
He said the government was providing 10,000 super-seeders to farmers at subsidized rates and stressed the need to promote the use of Kubota harvesters, super-seeders and balers for rice harvesting and residue management.
He also directed field formations to closely monitor crop residue burning in rice-producing areas and take action against violators.
The minister appreciated the department’s performance in implementing anti-smog measures so far and called for continued efforts to curb activities contributing to air pollution.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Secretary Agriculture Planning Kashif Bashir, Directors General Agriculture Shehbaz Akhtar and Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Engineer Mushtaq Mir, Project Coordinator Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and other senior officers.
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