RAWALPINDI: The Governors’ Conference at its concluding session here today [Nov 15] decided to set up a Tobacco Board on the pattern of Jute and Tea Boards in order to promote the export of tobacco and undertake research to assist the Government in boosting the production of tobacco.

The Board is likely to be set up immediately and start functioning during the current year.

The Conference, which met under the chairmanship of President Ayub Khan, decided to launch an extensive scheme to boost the production of sunflower to meet the shortage of oil, to revive the national cleanliness plan and to rid the big cities of cattle by setting up new cattle colonies.

The Conference also decided that severe check should be put on the import and smuggling of harmful drugs and narcotics.

An official spokesman told newsmen that the proposed Tobacco Board will have among its members two representatives of the cigarette industry, two members from tobacco growers, two from the Chambers of Commerce, two to be nominated by the two Provincial Governments, one official of the Industries Ministry and two of the Commerce Ministry — one of whom will be its chairman.

This year, the official spokesman said, the production of tobacco in the country was about 122,000 tons. The export of tobacco was at present worth Rs3.5 million.

In respect of the plan for boosting sunflower production in the country, the spokesman said teams would be sent to the Soviet Union and Rumania to study the growth of sunflower and its various industrial uses — Correspondent

Agency adds, the President, it is learnt, during his recent visit to the Soviet Union and Rumania, noticed the success with which these two countries have used the sunflower seed as a source of cooking medium. It produces 40 per cent more oil than other seeds.

The Governors’ Conference directed the Provincial Governments to launch schemes for extensive cultivation of sunflower to meet the shortage of raw material for vegetable ghee.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2017