HYDERABAD, May 27: The Sindh Agriculture department has proposed Rs472 million, including Rs260 million foreign-funded assistance, for the agriculture development programme in the ADP of 2003-2004, which is aimed at improving the agricultural sector and enhancing productivity.

This was stated by Aftab Ahmed Memon, Provincial Agriculture Secretary, while reviewing progress of development schemes at a meeting held here on Tuesday.

Besides expediting completion of on-going schemes, 11 new schemes have been proposed for the next financial year.

The new schemes for development of agriculture research facilities include establishment of foundation seed cell, setting up of food technology, improvement of horticulture research facilities at Mirpurkhas and initiation of research on genetic engineering.

The secretary said that improvement of water management is being given priority for which a scheme is being launched with the World Bank’s assistance, under which 4000 watercourses would be developed, layer levelling machines would be procured to level farmers’ fields for efficient use of water and other inputs. Besides, existing bulldozers will be repaired and efforts will continue to procure new bulldozers also.

Emphasizing the importance of correct crop rotation and agricultural statistics, the secretary said that the new scheme has been proposed to revamp the agriculture statistics system in the province.

The secretary directed the officers to prepare the new schemes on the PC-I performa, indicating in quantitative terms the cost benefit ratio and benefits of the schemes for the farming community and agriculture productivity in the province.

While reviewing the progress of on-going schemes, the secretary emphasized the correct utilization of funds, ensuring that their benefits reach the farmers and current year’s funds are utilized by the end of this financial year.

WORKSHOP: A workshop on “Mughbean” was organized by the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture Tando Jam, and a progressive farmer, Yousuf Bhangar, at the Bhangar Farm, Balochabad, on Monday. The participants of the workshop studied the Mughbean variety, AEM-96, evolved by the NIA, which was grown by Mr Bhangar.