November 15, 2018: The government has so far released an amount of Rs. 226.230 million for different development projects of Ministry of National Food Security and Research under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 against the total allocation of Rs. 1,143.73 million.

In order to promote the agriculture and livestock sectors in tribal areas of the country, the government in its federal PSDP had allocated an amount of Rs254.743 million for the up-gradation of Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) to the level of AZRC and establishment of new adaptive Rest Cum Demonstration Institute at Seakach, Wana, South Waziristan, Miranshah, North Waziristan tribal agencies (FATA) Tank and Matora, Lakki Marwat and had released Rs. 50 million.

Under PSDP, Rs. 60 million were released for the promotion of olive cultivation on commercial basis across the potential areas of the country to reduce the burden of oil imports in the foreign exchange as against the total allocation of Rs. 300 million of the current financial year.

The government has released Rs. 20 million each for risk-based control of foot and mouth disease in Pakistan as well as strengthening and up-gradation of agriculture and livestock research system of Arid Zone Research Institute, Umerkot respectively against the allocation of Rs. 100 million for these projects.

Under PSDP 21018-19, an amount of Rs. 7.289 million was released for the establishment of animal quarantine station, Gwadar as against the allocation of Rs. 36.446 million, whereas Rs. 3.691 million for commercialization of soyabean crop on pilot scale in Pakistan as the government had earmarked an amount of Rs18.454 million.

The Planning Commission was releasing the fund for the development projects with a mechanism as per following quarterly ceilings including first quarter by July– September 20 percent, second quarter October – December, 20 percent  and third quarter January– March by 30 percent and 30  percent in last quarter from April –June.

(APP)

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