SHEIKHUPURA, March 8: Punjab Minister for Agriculture Khurshid Zaman Qureshi said on Friday that researchers should suggest and recommend farmers ways to increase produce.

He was given a briefing at the Adoptive Research Farm here.

Mr Qureshi said agriculture was the backbone of country’s economy and the Punjab government was taking revolutionary steps to boost the sector.

The minister was apprised that people engaged in the research farm were making all out efforts to formulate guidelines for farmers while considering their needs and soil character. Experiments were carried out in the farm before giving the farmers any suggestion.

Mr Qureshi was told that beetroot was cultivated in the farm on experimental basis keeping in view shortage of irrigation water. The experiment was a success as the plant consumed less water than sugarcane.

The minister expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the farm. He, however, urged researchers to accelerate pace of work so that the agriculture sector could be developed.

He said it was high time for farmer to adopt scientific techniques of cultivation instead of orthodox methods.

SAFETY COMMISSION: The elections for four members of district public safety commission will be held on March 14 at 10am at the district council hall.