LAHORE: The provincial government has planned to set up agricultural mechanisation service centres in Punjab districts in phases in collaboration with the private sector.

The centers will help improve farm production and enhance farmers’ occupational capabilities as well as their financial betterment, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.

The government will extend Rs1.80 billion financial facility for the centres, it says.

In the first phase of the project, interested firms and farmers cooperative bodies from 18 districts – Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Sheikhupura, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha, Okara, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Multan, Chakwal and Dera Ghaz Khan – have been invited to submit their applications till Oct 13 to partner with the government in establishment of the centres.

Meanwhile, Punjab Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Mahmood told a meeting that two million olive saplings will be provided free of cost in the Pothohar region to convert it into an olive valley.

He said that to reduce import of the edible oil, a ‘Cultivate canola, be prosperous’ campaign will also be launched in the province while subsidies are also being provided for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2017