BAHAWALPUR, July 14: To train growers to repulse pest attacks on cotton crop and attain maximum cotton yield, the Punjab government will establish 50 "farm field schools" in various areas, particularly south Punjab districts.

This was stated by Punjab agriculture secretary Arif Nadeem while addressing a gathering of cotton growers and landlords during the inspection of cotton fields at Mauza Dera Bakha, about 15 kilometres from here on Wednesday.

The secretary said that these farm field schools would be set up at Bahawalpur, D.G Khan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran and other cotton districts. He said that agriculture department's officials trained in the Integrated Pest Monitoring would impart training in pest scouting to landlords and cultivators in addition to informing them about the other agricultural factors.

He said that the department had finalized a training programme for the farming community. He expressed satisfaction over the cotton crop here and claimed that so far the crop was safe from pest attacks and there was no need for pesticides' sprays.

ANTI-FLOOD PLAN: In view of forecast for torrential rains in the province, the district government has finalized an anti-flood plan. The plan was reviewed at a meeting held on Wednesday with DCO Imran Ahmad in the chair.

According to details, 14 villages particularly in Ahmedpur East tehsil were threatened with floods in case of heavy rains in the catchment areas. The meeting was told that the district had been divided into three sectors and arrangements made for emergency relief camps with all relief goods and medicines both for affected people and livestock.

All hospitals in the district had been put on a high alert and their incharges directed to stock adequate life-saving drugs. It was told that 100 volunteers Civil Defence were ready to undertake relief measures in case of emergency in addition to boats and left jackets at their disposal.

Health officials told the meeting that anti-malaria and snake-bite vaccines would be ensured at the relief camps.

MURDERED: Akhtar along with his brother Asghar and brother-in-law Noor Ahmad allegedly murdered his wife Ameeran over a family dispute near Ahmadpur on Wednesday. Police have registered a case.