HYDERABAD, June 20: The government is contemplating measures to ensure availability of quality and effective fertilizers and pesticides, including amendments in the Pesticides Ordinance and Fertilizer Control Act.

This was stated by the director general, Agriculture Research and Extension, Sindh, Mohammad Akram Malik, while addressing a seminar on enhancing cotton production and safe use of pesticides at Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district, on Thursday.

The seminar was organized by the Agriculture Extension Department in collaboration with the Crop Life Pakistan and was presided over by a senior grower of the area, Mir Chakar Khan Bozdar.

Mr Malik said that the government had taken several farmer-friendly steps, including increase in the support price of cotton seed from Rs800 to Rs850 per 40kg this year.

Moreover, the government has also announced premium for producing quality cotton and Ghotki district is included in this scheme, he said, adding that the cotton growers should avail benefits of this scheme.

He said that Sindh has been producing bumper crops of cotton for the last few years.

In 2001-2002, it produced 2.44 million bales and in 2002-2003, production was 2.41 million bales. For the year 2003-2004, the production target has been set at 2.40 million bales, he said.

He advised the companies dealing with production and distribution of pesticides and fertilizer to adhere to responsible and healthy trade practices and provide farmers quality products, failing which strict action would be taken under the relevant laws.

Mir Chakar Khan Bozdar stressed the need for timely availability of irrigation water and seed to the growers.

He demanded that action should be taken against suppliers of sub-standard pesti-cides.