Government of Punjab Agriculture Department has a specialized wing for Plant Protection i.e. Directorate General of Pest Warning & Quality Control of Pesticides Punjab responsible for monitoring of pest development and executing all the plant protection activities throughout the Punjab province.
In 1977, pest scouting of cotton crop was started partially and it bought successful results. This wing was created during July, 1984 with the main aim to stop indiscreminate use of pesticides and to acquaint the farmers with appropriate use of pesticide with doses and time of spray. Initially it was created as Project Directorate with headquarter at Multan for only cotton crop in cotton zone but keeping in view the effectiveness of this system, it was expanded to the entire province of Punjab for all crops, vegetables and orchards etc. During 1987 the post of Project Director was upgraded to that of Director. Further due to its importance and achievements the Government elevated this Directorate to Directorate General during the year 2005 along with 190 posts of different categories Similarly it was felt necessary to strengthen the Directorate General and 2 posts of Directors (one for cotton zone whereas second for Rice Zone) during 2010 are created to strengthen this system and equipped with modern and latest technology to improve early warning system and Quality Control of Pesticides.The main Objective of this wing is;
- PEST SCOUTING
- TRAININGS
- QUALITY CONTROL OF PESTICIDES
- RESEARCH
- PLANT PROTECTION GUIDANCE