LAHORE, Feb 16: Punjab Agriculture Minister Ahmed Ali Aulakh has said that the government is striving hard to develop the vital agriculture sector, including provision of fertilizer on low rates to the farmers.

Continuing general discussion on agriculture with special reference to the availability of fertilizer in the province during the 11th session of the Punjab Assembly here on Monday, he said that efforts were also being made to ensure provision of quality fertilizers, seeds and pesticides to the farmers.

He said the agriculture sector was facing numerous problems, including 35 per cent water shortage.

Giving a comparison of current and previous year, the minister said this year various crops' yield reduced by -- wheat 15 per cent, gram 41 per cent, masoor 40, potato 15.8, onion 26 and sugar cane 9 per cent.

The minister said that government was devising new strategies to improve the farm marketing system and enhanced the support prices of wheat and rice. He said Rs 200,000 subsidy was being given under the Green Tractor Scheme to facilitate the farming community.—APP