LAHORE – Rs 3045.41m budget for procurement of seeds of all major crops was approved by Punjab Seed Corporation at a meeting here on Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Malik Ahmad Ali chaired the BoD meeting while Agriculture (Planning) additional secretary Ms Sumaira Samad, Finance deputy secretary Zubair Waheed, Chairman (P&D) Baqar Mufti and other officials attended the meeting. It was decided to procure 60,000 metric tons of wheat and after processing 39,853 metric tons of wheat seeds would be provided to farmers for Rabi season 2012-13. Similarly 5,000 metric tons and 3,000 metric tons of cotton and paddy seeds respectively will be provided to farmers to get maximum production of these crops having a vital role in agriculture production. Punjab Seed Corporation will get Rs 106.48m estimated profit for the year 2012-13 after deducting all cost and taxes. BoD approved cash credit limit of Rs1.7 billion for the procurement of wheat seeds for PSC. Ahmad Ali, speaking on the occasion, directed PSC to ensure sale of high yielding, disease/insect pest resistant quality seeds of crops to framers for productivity enhancement. 
He underlined to implement an effective, scientific mechanism of seeds procurement, processing, packaging and marketing for availability of quality seeds with special emphasis on procurement of seeds according to demand of farming community.