LAHORE: The development of 3.88 million acres of barren land in Pakistan’s populous northeastern Punjab province is possible in 22 years if the government ensures provision of only 2,200 bulldozers and builds capacity of the agriculture department to execute such a massive project.
Official records of Agriculture Department’s field wing term its land development proposal vital for Punjab in boosting agriculture through a green revolution.
According to a proposal recently shared with the Punjab government, the department has been going through a dismal situation for the last many years. Its existing fleet of 338 bulldozers has either completed its operational life or needed urgent rehabilitation to carry out the ongoing land development work at least.
“Agriculture field wing’s 70 bulldozers have operated for 10,000 to 20,000 hours, 79 for 20,000 to 30,000 hours, 164 for 30,000 to 40,000 hours, 22 for 40,000 to 50,000 hours and three for over 50,000 hours,” read a recent presentation shared with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
It estimated development of 3.8 million acres in 88 years with its existing capacity to operate 550 bulldozers. But if the government enhanced the capacity of the department for operating 2,200 bulldozers, the land could be converted into lush green fields in 22 years, the proposal claimed.
Internews
