Page 152 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

GOVERNMENT SEED FARM EHSANPUR
The Government Seed Farm Ehsanpur was established in 1962 by the then
West Pakistan Agriculture Department. After having passed through different
hands, it was finally transferred from the Federal Government to the
Agriculture Department (Extension Wing) in 1976. The primary objective of
the farm is to prepare and provide seeds of latest varieties to the farmers.

The farm had an area of 2470 acres. However, due to the construction of
colonies for flood affectees, area of the farm has been reduced to 2381 acres.

WATER TESTING LABORATORY
In order to address the issues pertaining to soil and water, a Water Testing
Laboratory was established in Muzaffargarh in 1981. It is providing advisory
services to the farmers regarding use of fertilizers and problems regarding
soil reclamation. Since its establishment, the laboratory has analyzed more
than 1 lac soil samples and more than 8,000 water samples to benefit the
farming community.
The salinity and water logging status of Muzaffargarh soils is as under.

 112.7 thousand hectares is salt affected.
 1.17 thousand hectares is water logged.
PEST WARNING AND QUALITY CONTROL WING

The Pest Warning and Quality Control Wing of the Agriculture Department
was created in 1984, and is responsible for plant protection activities, quality
control of pesticides as well as training of farmers/pesticide dealers etc. on
the use of pesticides.

A total of 84 violations have been reported by this establishment from 2002
to 2019, and FIRs were registered with the relevant police stations. So far 56
cases have been decided, convicting 41persons, whereas 15 persons have
been acquitted.

PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Punjab Agricultural Engineering Department Muzaffargarh office was
established in 1976, and has been providing services to farmers ever since.

Field Operations Wing
More than 40% of the total land of the district, i.e. 894914 acres, is still
undeveloped/uncultivated. This huge chunk of land is mostly covered with
sand dunes, which need to be properly levelled/developed using heavy
machinery, such as bulldozers, to make way for cultivation. In this regard,
Field Operations Wing has been providing services to small farmers on
subsidized rate of Rs. 560/hr. Accordingly, in Financial Year 2018-19, 2,430

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