SIALKOT, July 16: The government will establish agriculture centres in far-flung areas for providing complete technical assistance to growers.

This was stated by Punjab Agriculture Marketing Minister Rana Muhammad Qasim Khan Noon while speaking to growers in Pasrur tehsil on Friday. DCO Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi was also present.

The minister said the centres would also provide guidance to the growers on how to enhance their yield, besides ensuring smooth supply of seeds, fertilizers, diesel and pesticides to them on subsidized rates.

He also pledged that the latest machinery would be made available to the growers against nominal token rent charges. He said the government would make efforts to ensure agricultural marketing on modern lines, besides introducing necessary legislation to get rid of middlemen.

Earlier, the minister inaugurated an agriculture centre in Pasrur. DCO Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi pointed out that three main canals passed through the district, but its farmers could not utilize canal water for irrigating their fields due to lack of policy by the irrigation department.

He called for modification in the local canal system and urged the provincial government to formulate an effective strategy in this regard.