Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday announced subsidies for farmers on fertilizer and seeds as part of a broader strategy to enhance the province’s agricultural sector.
The decision was made during a meeting of the agriculture, food, and irrigation departments chaired by the Chief Minister. Murad Ali Shah outlined several initiatives aimed at improving the overall agriculture system, including farm mechanisation and targeted subsidies for wheat and rice crops.
He directed the agriculture department to develop a comprehensive four-year support package specifically for small farmers. Additionally, he called for collaboration among the Agriculture, Food, and Irrigation departments to educate farmers on the latest technologies, water availability, and modern farming practices.
“It is important for growers to be aware of water availability so they can plan their crops accordingly,” the Chief Minister emphasized.
Under the farm mechanisation program, Murad Ali Shah highlighted the introduction of laser land levelling and Manual Seeder Hand Pushers for small farmers owning between one and 25 acres. He proposed offering land levelling services on a rental basis to these growers.
“Levelling land using laser technology can conserve 20 to 30 percent of irrigation water,” he explained. “This method could also increase crop yields by 6 to 10 percent while reducing irrigation time by half.”
The Chief Minister added that these measures would collectively boost farmers’ incomes by 20 percent, prevent waterlogging and salinity, and promote more balanced use of agricultural inputs, contributing to sustainable agricultural growth in Sindh.
