Punjab govt formulates sunflower cultivation plan

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday formulated a comprehensive sunflower cultivation plan, reported Radio Pakistan.

Sources relayed that it was decided to plant sunflower and other oil seeds crops on more than 2 lakh acres of land in different areas of the province

According to the Punjab Agriculture Department, 4,700 acres of land in Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial tehsils of Sialkot would be utilised for sunflower cultivation.

Steps are also being taken to produce maximum edible oil as well.

Only 34 per cent edible oil is being produced within the country whereas 66 per cent is being imported to satisfy domestic needs. Presently, sunflower seeds bear 40 per cent oil capacity as compared to other oil seed crops.

Last week, US-based food and agriculture company Cargill decided to invest $200mn in Pakistan in agriculture, dairy farming, and cooking oil sectors.

Marcel Smits, Chairman of the Asia Pacific and Head of Corporate Strategy at Cargill had called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed various investment avenues in the country.

The company, with operations in 70 countries of the world, specialises in food products, agriculture, livestock, dairy-farming, and food ingredients.

Smits had told PM Khan that the company would invest the amount in the next three to five years.

“Cargill wants to promote international standard dairy farming in Pakistan, which will not only contribute to its economy regarding revenue but will also provide employment opportunities to locals”, Smits was quoted as saying.

Smits also noted that the current government was gaining international acclaim due to its transparency, saying that they had to wrap-up their business from Pakistan in 2012 due to the then government’s mismanagement and mala fide intentions.