By Zahid Baig

LAHORE: The Punjab Agriculture Department has stepped up measures to prevent rice crop residue burning as part of the provincial government’s efforts to control smog with 10,000 super-seeders being provided to farmers at subsidised rates.

Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, chairing a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the department’s anti-smog measures, said 177 control rooms were operational across the province to monitor and respond to smog-related issues. The minister directed the department to intensify its awareness campaign against crop residue burning and ensure close monitoring by field officers in rice-growing areas.

He said the department was following a zero-tolerance policy against the burning of crop residues and directed officials to ensure that rice residue was disposed of through scientific methods.

Kirmani said the government was providing 10,000 super-seeders to farmers on subsidised rates and stressed the need to promote the use of Kubota harvesters, super-seeders and balers for rice harvesting and residue management.

He also directed field formations to closely monitor incidents of crop residue burning in rice-producing areas and take appropriate action against violators. The minister appreciated the agriculture department’s performance in implementing measures for smog control so far and called for continued efforts to prevent activities contributing to air pollution.

Deputy Secretary Agriculture (Planning) Kashif Bashir, Directors General Agriculture Shehbaz Akhtar, Naveed Asmat Kahloon and Engineer Mushtaq Mir, Project Coordinator Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and other senior officers attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Published Date: September 24, 2026