Latest news with #SyedAshiqHussainKirmani
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab, UK to collaborate on farming and livestock reforms
LAHORE: The Punjab government and the British High Commission have agreed to work together on supporting farmers, dealing with climate change, improving university linkages, better animal breeding and controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to strengthen agriculture and livestock sectors of the province. The consensus reached during a meeting of the Punjab's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, with Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office at the British High Commission. Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo was also present. Minister Kirmani said Punjab values the UK's financial help and wants to learn from the UK's experience in the livestock sector. He shared that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has focused on improving agriculture and livestock. Over the past year, the government gave farmers interest-free loans through the Kissan Card and Livestock Card programs. These programs help farmers avoid being exploited by middlemen. He also talked about the transforming Punjab agriculture program, which has a large budget of Rs 400 billion. The government is focusing on modern farming equipment, efficient irrigation, good quality seeds, and new research centers. These steps aim to lower crop costs and increase yield per acre. To reduce smog, the government has given farmers 5,000 subsidized super seeders. It is also setting up four agriculture malls where farmers can rent modern farming machines at low rates. Last year, 9,500 tractors were given to farmers with Rs 1 million subsidy on each. A new loan scheme is also being introduced to help farmers and service providers get high-tech machines. Punjab is also starting a breed improvement program in 10 districts. This program aims to improve milk and meat production. High-quality animal semen will be sold in the market at lower prices. The minister also said that to control FMD, the government will set up two special zones and five compartments in the upcoming budget. This will greatly help in controlling the disease. Ben Warrington praised the steps Punjab has taken in agriculture reforms. He said the UK understands the problems faced by Punjab's farmers and wants to help solve them. Consultant Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali and Director General of Agriculture Information Punjab, Naveed Ismat Kahloon, also joined the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister, DG GCLI discuss animal breed improvement
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani met with Director General Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI) Major General Shahid Mahmood (retd) in Lahore. The meeting discussed mechanisms related to animal breed improvement, vaccine production, disease control and data sharing. Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel was also present on the occasion. Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has generously allocated funds for the development of the livestock sector in the last financial year. The successful projects launched by CM have benefited the livestock farmers and their economic conditions have improved. The response of livestock farmers and women to the initiatives of the Chief Minister of Punjab for livestock cards and distribution of assets among rural women of South Punjab has been very positive. He explained that the entire focus of the Punjab government is on herd transformation, breed empowerment, tagging and traceability and disease control of animals. We have launched a Livestock CONNECT webpage to facilitate livestock farmers and exporters. We are going to create 5 compartments and 2 zones for effective control of FMD in the province under the budget of the next financial year. Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani reiterated the commitment that cooperation between our department and GCLI will continue in the near future to achieve common goals. On this occasion, Director General GCLI Major General Shahid Mahmood (retd) endorsed that his institution will provide all possible support for the provision of research and training facilities for the livestock department in Punjab. We will ensure the supply of high-quality semen and embryos of highly breed animals to livestock farmers at subsidized prices. He explained that a modern IVF lab has been established in collaboration with the private sector. The aim of both institutions is to increase meat and milk production in the country so that by increasing meat production, its access to the Gulf countries could be made possible. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab livestock dept to provide 7,000 bikes on easy instalments
LAHORE: The Punjab Livestock & Dairy Development Department (PLDDD) on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at providing 7,000 motorcycles on easy monthly installments without any interest to the para-veterinary staff of the department to resolve their issue of transportation. First batch of motorbikes were distributed among the employees at a ceremony held at the livestock department on Tuesday. Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani participated as the chief guest. On this occasion, Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel, along with Additional Secretary (Technical), Director Generals, and other officials of the department were also present. Director General Extension, Dr Muhammad Ashraf, welcomed all the distinguished guests. While addressing the ceremony, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif generously approved funds to meet the transportation and motorcycle needs of the para-vets. Through this initiative, they will be able to obtain motorcycles on interest-free, easy monthly installments. He said that para-vets play a vital role in providing timely vaccination and care to livestock owned by farmers in remote areas. He further noted that, for the first time in history, the Chief Minister allocated Rs20 billion for the livestock department in her government's first budget last year. The provincial minister added that a total of 7,000 motorbikes will be provided to the para-veterinary staff in two phases, with 3,412 motorbikes being distributed in the first phase today. The design of the motorbikes was developed in consultation with the para-vets. He emphasized that these new bikes will enhance the operational capacity of the livestock department. He expressed confidence that, with the provision of new motorbikes, para-vets will deliver services to livestock farmers with even greater dedication. Outstanding performers among the para-vets will also be rewarded. Earlier, Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel said that para-vets are our frontline force, and addressing their issues is a top priority. He stated that a departmental structure has been developed for institutional betterment, which will provide training facilities and ensure timely promotions for employees. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Livestock dept to provide 7,000 bikes on easy instalments
LAHORE: The Punjab Livestock & Dairy Development Department (PLDDD) on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at providing 7,000 motorcycles on easy monthly installments without any interest to the para-veterinary staff of the department to resolve their issue of transportation. First batch of motorbikes were distributed among the employees at a ceremony held at the livestock department on Tuesday. Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani participated as the chief guest. On this occasion, Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel, along with Additional Secretary (Technical), Director Generals, and other officials of the department were also present. Director General Extension, Dr Muhammad Ashraf, welcomed all the distinguished guests. While addressing the ceremony, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani stated that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif generously approved funds to meet the transportation and motorcycle needs of the para-vets. Through this initiative, they will be able to obtain motorcycles on interest-free, easy monthly installments. He said that para-vets play a vital role in providing timely vaccination and care to livestock owned by farmers in remote areas. He further noted that, for the first time in history, the Chief Minister allocated Rs20 billion for the livestock department in her government's first budget last year. The provincial minister added that a total of 7,000 motorbikes will be provided to the para-veterinary staff in two phases, with 3,412 motorbikes being distributed in the first phase today. The design of the motorbikes was developed in consultation with the para-vets. He emphasized that these new bikes will enhance the operational capacity of the livestock department. He expressed confidence that, with the provision of new motorbikes, para-vets will deliver services to livestock farmers with even greater dedication. Outstanding performers among the para-vets will also be rewarded. Earlier, Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel said that para-vets are our frontline force, and addressing their issues is a top priority. He stated that a departmental structure has been developed for institutional betterment, which will provide training facilities and ensure timely promotions for employees. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab Agri Dept, Margalla Heavy Industries Taxila sign MoU
LAHORE: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Monday between the Agriculture Department Punjab and Margalla Heavy Industries Limited, Taxila, to carry out the repair and maintenance of 20 bulldozers from the field wing of the agriculture department Punjab by the heavy industries. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo at a ceremony at the Agriculture House, Lahore. The MoU was formally signed by Director General Field (Agriculture), Sajid Naseer, and Chief Executive Officer of Heavy Industries Taxila, Brigadier Nadeem Ahmed. Brigadier Jawad (r) from Heavy Industries Taxila, Special Secretary Agriculture Agha Nabeel Akhtar, Additional Secretary Agriculture (Planning) Captain Waqas Rasheed, and Additional Director General (Engineering) Multan, Afzal Tahir were also present on this occasion. Following the signing ceremony, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, chaired a review meeting on the Chief Minister's Wheat Support Programme and Kisan Card Phase II. Speaking at the meeting, the Minister stated that under these programmes, disbursement of funds to farmers through the Bank of Punjab will commence on May 22. He was informed that 487,000 farmers have already repaid their loans under the first phase of the Kisan Card scheme. He emphasized that to benefit from all agricultural initiatives of the government, possession of a Kisan Card must be made mandatory. He further noted that the scope of Kisan Card Phase II has been expanded, increasing the loan limit to Rs300,000, eliminating transaction charges, and introducing a facility for diesel purchase. In addition to Kisan Card holders, other farmers are also applying for the wheat support program via the dedicated portal, with 250,000 applications already received. The deadline to apply for this program is May 31. Through the same portal, an additional 100,000 farmers can register for new Kisan Cards. A total of Rs10 billion will be distributed among 500,000 farmers under the wheat support programme. The Bank of Punjab has approved over 542,000 farmer applications for Kisan Card Phase II, and the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) has completed verification for nearly 500,000 of them. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo stressed the need to intensify the awareness campaign across social media, electronic media, and print media to ensure that more farmers can benefit from the government's loans and incentives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
