LAHORE:Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Agriculture Chairman MPA Zulfiqar Ali Shah has said that the use of modern agricultural machinery is essential to discourage the burning of crop residues.
While presiding over a meeting of the committee on Thursday, he discussed matters relating to smog and air pollution, with a focus on preventing crop residue burning and promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
MPA Rana Muhammad Arshad said awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the harmful effects of crop residue burning should be further intensified. MPA Amjad Ali Javed said effective coordination among the relevant departments was essential to control smog and air pollution.
The committee also discussed the potential for producing biochar to make agricultural waste useful.
The provision of adequate funds to the Agriculture Department was also discussed during the meeting, while the importance of consistent and predictable policies for the agricultural sector was highlighted.
Matters relating to effective support for farmers and the resolution of their problems also came under discussion.
Zulfiqar Ali Shah stressed the need to increase agricultural productivity through modern farming practices while ensuring environmental protection.
The committee chairman called for accelerating efforts to find practical solutions to farmers’ problems and improve the agricultural sector.
MPAs, Punjab Assembly officials and representatives of the relevant government departments attended the meeting.