Lodhran: Appointment letters were issued to 33 newly selected agricultural graduates under the Punjab Chief Minister Agricultural Graduates Internship Programme.
A ceremony, organised by the Agriculture Department, was led by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf.
Deputy Director Agriculture Extension Malik Muhammad Zafar, Assistant Director Rashid Sarwar and Senior Agricultural Officer Rafiq Shehzad were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf said the Agricultural Graduates Internship Programme launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif provided an excellent platform for young graduates to develop their professional capabilities.
He said newly inducted agricultural graduates were being provided a monthly stipend of Rs70,000 for one year under the programme. He urged the interns to enhance their professional skills through modern knowledge and practical training and to guide farmers in the field.
‘Improving crop production through modern agricultural technology should be our objective,’ he said, adding that graduates completing their internships should share their field experience with others and give due consideration to the interests of people while pursuing their individual goals.
Ashraf said lack of focus on research in practical life had hindered progress and stressed the need for continuous self-improvement as well as efforts to improve things.
Deputy Director Malik Muhammad Zafar said the capacity building of interns had contributed to an increase in per-maund crop yields. He said the interns had performed their responsibilities effectively by providing on-the-spot guidance to farmers.
He also urged the interns to play their role in promoting the initiatives of the Punjab government.
Later, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf distributed appointment letters, experience certificates and shields among the newly selected and former interns.