On April 1, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the establishment of a Rs 500 million research endowment fund for the Ayub Research Center. This decision was made during a meeting co-chaired with PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, focusing on addressing agricultural challenges in Punjab.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of expediting loan processes for farmers, instructing the development of a reliable monitoring and feedback system to ensure timely loan disbursement. Additionally, she approved a pilot project to recruit agriculture officers and field assistants for vacant positions, stressing the need for merit-based hiring.
The meeting also highlighted the necessity for coordinated efforts among the Agriculture Department’s sub-institutions to enhance research, performance, and governance. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif pointed out the ongoing issue of inadequate quality seeds despite significant investments in research, underscoring the need for effective solutions
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