SIALKOT, Feb 24: The much-trumpeted laser land-levelling technology has not been made operational in the district thanks to the negligence of the agriculture department authorities.

Even the new district administration has failed to make use of the technology, which was introduced about two years ago without doing homework. The operation has ever since been delayed for want of operators and drivers.

All the nine laser land-levelling machines are rusting away as these have been kept in the open in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur tehsils. The local agriculture authorities have left the hi-tech machines at the mercy of weather.

Sources said there was only one operator to run these machines and no driver had been hired for their tractors. An operator and a driver each for the machines were required, they said.

When contacted, Sialkot EDO (Finance) Rana Azhar Ali said the previous district government had launched this technology without formulating any operational plan. Former district nazim Mian Naeem Javed had ordered a departmental probe against the officials concerned for their alleged slackness in this regard. There were, however, no findings yet.

A year ago, the Sialkot agriculture department had been directed to arrange for the training of the staff for operating this hi-tech technology which was meant to facilitate the growers.

The district government had introduced the hi-tech laser farm technology almost two years ago to enable farmers to enhance their per-acre yield under a special agriculture development programme. Former nazim Mian Naeem Javed had distributed these machines with tractors and scrapers at a special ceremony held at Pakki Kotli village in Daska.

He said at the ceremony the growers would be able to use this technology with the help of the agriculture department’s trained operators and experts. He said the equipment worth Rs12 million would enhance the per-acre yield from 45 maunds to 55 maunds.

Accordingly, he announced that the farmland up to 2,650 acres was planned to be levelled through the proper use of these machines, ensuring smooth provision of irrigation water and motivating the growers to ensure maximum use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.

The farmers have expressed grave concern over inordinate delay in utilization of the machines, which was expensive and unaffordable at a rent of Rs350 per hour plus transport expenses. They have urged the district government to launch the technology in the larger interest of the farmers.

District Nazim Muhammad Akmal Cheema said the government had again undertaken this project and sought an operational plan. “It is a farmer welfare project and the government will take it up on priority,” he said.