FAISALABAD, Feb 26: The Punjab government has decided to allot uninhabited land to jobless agriculturalists in Multan, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad districts.

Agriculture department sources said on Wednesday that survey and feasibility reports were being finalized for the allotment of state land to youths having graduation and master’s degrees in agricultural fields.

“Agricultural research institutions will be asked to provide necessary infrastructure and know-how to youths so that they could use the land for cultivation of different crops and generate funds for them and the government,” source said.

Committees comprising research scientists and officials of the agriculture department would also be constituted to supervise the projects launched by the agriculturalists at their allotted lands. Ownership rights would be granted after the completion of the projects.

Source said a plan to provide monthly stipends to jobless agriculturalists would soon be launched.

The government was also planning to launch joint projects with the financial help of private firms in the province so that maximum number of youths could be provided jobs.

It may be noted that the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, was awarding degrees to over 500 girl and boy students every year. Some of the graduates get jobs while most remain without a job.