MULTAN (March 07 2004): Minister of State for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said the new cotton policy will be announced by the federal government by the end of this month.

The minister said this while addressing a gathering of growers at Rahimyar Khan on Friday night.

He said: "It is heartening that last year the farmers got good prices of their cotton, rice and sunflower yield."

He said due to larger sowing area of sugarcane and potatoes their rates have plummeted. "This happened due to lack of proper planning," he said.

Sikandar Bosan said the local tractor manufacturers have been warned for the last time to improve their quality, otherwise the government would be compelled to import reconditioned tractors for the weal of the farmers' community.

He disclosed that the government is going to change its pesticide policy. He said: "There will be no compromise on the quality of pesticides."

The minister said for this year the wheat procurement target has been fixed at 5.5 million tons. Private sector would be encouraged in this process.

Muhammad Islam Gill, director, Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, also spoke on the occasion.

Courtesy Business Recorder