LAHORE: The Punjab government is paying attention to promote modern technology in the province to ensure uninterrupted supply of vegetables, especially tomatoes across the year. The Punjab agriculture department has sought recommendations from the experts to promote the hydroponic technology which enables year-round supply of tomatoes. Relevant formations of the department have been tasked with identifying suitable areas for off-season tomato cultivation across the province. Under the plan, the government has planned training workshops to be organized in different areas of the province to encourage the adoption of hydroponic farming by the growers, while technical support will also be provided for installing small-scale hydroponic systems on household rooftops. Sources in the provincial agriculture department told the Business Recorder that the programme was chalked at a special meeting held recently to devise a strategy for extending the tomato production season in Punjab with a special focus on promoting off-season cultivation through modern technology. The meeting was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Osama Khan Laghari and Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, along with senior officers and agricultural experts. Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani added that experts have been asked to submit proposals for implementing hydroponic technology on rooftops to promote urban agriculture. He said increasing the production of off-season vegetables would help ensure the availability of vegetables at prices affordable to consumers, thereby strengthening food security and market stability. Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo directed experts from Barani Agricultural University, Rawalpindi, to present practical and cost-effective proposals for installing small-scale hydroponic structures. He also sought recommendations from university experts for developing low-cost hydroponic models that could be easily adopted by farmers and households. The initiative is expected to modernise vegetable production, enhance farmers’ income, and ensure stable supplies of tomatoes throughout the year in Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025