Heavy rains in Punjab have caused severe damage to cotton, sugarcane, and rice crops, leaving farmers distressed.
The Director General of Agricultural Information Punjab stated that they are assisting farmers in the affected districts.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is collecting data from provinces, and farmers in areas where crops were damaged will be supported.
He added that the 18th Amendment has not been implemented in its true spirit. Under the amendment, agriculture was supposed to be managed by the provinces, and all powers and funds were transferred accordingly. The government is currently assessing the damage caused by the recent rains.
Ahsan Iqbal also expressed regret that nothing significant has been done for agriculture in the past 20 to 30 years. He noted that the private sector has developed cotton seeds after 20 to 25 years of research. Increasing the production of canola oil, rice, and other crops is now essential. Pakistan must become self-sufficient in agriculture.
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted more monsoon rains across the country until 25 July, as severe weather continues to cause loss of life and property. The situation is especially alarming in Punjab, where 70 people have died in the last 48 hours due to rain related incidents.
The PMD reported that monsoon currents are currently penetrating Sindh and upper parts of Pakistan, with intensity expected to increase from 20 July. A westerly weather wave is also expected to reach the northern regions on 21 July, contributing to more rain across the country. As a result, widespread monsoon rains with varying intensity are expected from 18 to 25 July, with brief pauses in between.
