Pakistan would achieve 13 million cotton bales production target this year. At present cotton import from India via land route is impossible on technical grounds, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Sikandar Bosan told the reporters. However, this could be done through sea route, he said. At present the situation of wheat crop is quite satisfactory, the minister said adding that the last week of February and the first two weeks of March were crucial for the crop, adding that rise in temperature during this period might affect it. Bosan said the federal government has allowed the provinces to export wheat up to 500,000 tons through the private sector. Local farmers would be given protection at all costs, he added. The minister said that federal government had launched a number of livestock development projects worth Rs 6.8 billion, which would also help reduce poverty from the country. He said the government was also setting up 3,000 new livestock farms for which a large number of small and big farmers had shown their interest. The government would also provide 15 per cent grant for meat farms and health cover to the cattle, while the intending farmers would also be facilitated for feasibility reports for these farms, he said.
