LAHORE, Sept 27: The Punjab has decided to establish an independent institution to market and export agriculture produce with the help of the private sector.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday.

The new body would explore ways for the export of agriculture produce in the province, provide information to local growers about the market conditions and demand of the produce in the international market. It will have separate units for rice, wheat, cotton and sugarcane.

The chief minister ordered that details of the autonomous body should be prepared within a fortnight for its early creation.

He said experts from the private sector would be engaged for the effective functioning of the new body, directing the officials concerned to prepare for the WTO regime.

He urged the need for proper marketing of crops besides increasing their production to provide better rates to the farmers. They worked hard but due to improper marketing system were not receiving their due, he said.

The chief minister said so far the stress had been on increasing the production of crops, whereas the present government intended to create better environment for their marketing and sale here and abroad.

The crops had been supply-oriented whereas the government wanted to move towards making them demand-oriented, he said.

The government was also attaching top priority to agriculture research and establishing research centres in the province for the purpose.

The chief minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the functioning of the market committees, asking the agriculture minister and the secretary to review the mechanism and submit recommendations for a better alternative.

Agriculture Minister Arshad Lodhi earlier briefed the chief minister on the existing network of market committees in the province.