Lahore, (PR) : According to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, the cooperation of public and private sector is being encouraged. Digital extension services are the future of farmers. The use of digital networks and social media for the transfer of agricultural information has become indispensable in today’s era. This agreement between Agriculture Department and Bakhabar Kissan will prove to be a source of timely provision of agricultural information to the farmers. These views were expressed by Provincial Minister for Agriculture & Livestock, Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani while addressing the signing ceremony of the agreement between the Agriculture Department Punjab and Bakhabar Kissan held at Agriculture House, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo also participated in the event.
On this occasion, the Minister further said that there is a need to immediately reach as many farmers as possible, keeping in mind the adverse effects of climate change and diverse production trends. Information should be conveyed which not only can reduce their cost of production but also increase the per acre yield of crops. Bakhabar Kissan should submit their plan for information transfer to the farmers which will be monitored regularly.
On this occasion, while giving a briefing to Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Punjab, Project Director
Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali said that with the help of modern technology, farmers will be provided with latest information related to better use of fertilizer and water , pest alert, weather conditions etc. The information will be provided through digital network of Bakhabar Kissan.
On this occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Bakhabar Kissan Khizer Alam Khan told the Minister during a briefing that Bakhabar Kissan is working as a digital hub and has the ability to deliver messages to 5 crore farmers in a timely manner. Agriculture Department Punjab and Bakhabar Kissan through this agreement will provide information about modern crop production technology to the farmers through a digital network. Bakhabar Kissan has also launched 450 weather forecasting stations in the province which will provide real-time weather data to the farmers.
Additional Secretary Agriculture Planning Captain (Rtd) Waqas Rasheed, Director General Agriculture Extension Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Director General Agricultural Information, Punjab Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Director General Agriculture Water Management, Punjab Malik Muhammad Akram and other senior officers attended.