The Punjab Agriculture Department has launched a crackdown on the manufacture and sale of fake agricultural medicines and substandard fertilizers. The department has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards the illegal trade and has directed its officers to conduct joint raids with the police authorities. In a statement, the Information Spokesman of the Punjab Agriculture Department on Tuesday said that the department is taking strict measures to bring the people involved in the production and sale of fake medicines to justice. He said that the department has recovered huge quantities of fake agricultural drugs and fertilizers during raids in different cities and has also arrested some people.

The spokesman said that the campaign against fake medicines of the Agriculture Department has resulted in a significant improvement in the situation and that the complaints of the farmers have been resolved. He asked the farmers to play their role in making the campaign against fake medicines and fertilizers successful and to contact the local officers of the Agriculture Department or the Agriculture Helpline number 0800-15000 or 0800-29000 in case of any complaint.

He said that the immediate prevention of fake medicines and fake fertilizers is the need of the hour because the use of fake agricultural accessories causes loss to the farmers and reduces production. He said that the Punjab Agriculture Department has launched a special campaign which has resulted in considerable success in preventing fake agricultural medicines and fake fertilizers.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)