950803

30,000 more

tractors to be

imported this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will import 20,000 to 30,000 more tractors for distribution among the farmers registered with ADBP under the Awami Tractor Scheme launched last year to boost up agricultural production and bring more land under cultivation.

This was disclosed by the Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur while talking to a delegation of commercial and production managers of M/s. Ursus Ltd. of Poland, which met him here on Thursday. The meeting was aimed at renegotiating the deal for renewal of the 1994-95 agreement in context of Pakistan's requirements for the year 1995-96.

The minister said that Ursus Ltd. and Belarus company have provided 9,000 and 12,000 tractors during the year 1994-95. The price of such tractor for Pakistani farmers amounted to Rs.150,000 whereas the Chinese tractors Shanghai and Jiangsue cost Rs.137,000, he added.

The government has also invited Belarus company for the renewal of agreement for 1994-95.

The minister said that Chinese Jiangsue which is 50 H.P., got tremendous popularity in the central Punjab because of its extra capability of ploughing smoothly in paddy field. The Shanghai tractor is of the same strength and earned good reputation in the international market, he added. Jiangsue tractors are produced by the Chinese State Company responsible for the manufacturing of military aircrafts. It has manufactured Karakurram-8 in collaboration with PAF Aeronautical Engineering Complex, Kamra, and included in the Air Force last year.-APP