PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday distributed 500 motorcycles to the field staff of the Agriculture Department under the Food Security Support Project and inaugurated olive oil extraction plants.
According to a handout, the chief minister attended the function held at the Directorate of Agriculture Extension as the chief guest. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Major (retd) Muhammad Sajjad Barkwal, other members of the Provincial Cabinet, MPAs and officers of the Agriculture Department were also present on this occasion. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister inspected the various agricultural stalls set up by the department.
Speaking on the occasion, Gandapur said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rich in natural resources and lamented the lack of serious efforts in the past to utilize these resources effectively. He said that by utilizing these resources, we can make the province and the country economically self-sufficient. He reiterated the vision of the founding chairman of the party, Imran Khan, and said that “a nation in debt can never achieve greatness”.
The Chief Minister outlined the commitment of the provincial government to modernize the agriculture sector and align it with contemporary requirements.
“The government is investing heavily in high-potential sectors, which has resulted in a 44 percent increase in the province’s revenue, with plans to double this growth,” he added. The budget of the agriculture sector has been increased in the financial year. 54 percent, with ongoing and new projects aimed at expanding the sector.
He said that his government’s major initiatives in the agriculture sector included conservation of water resources and irrigation of barren lands through various projects, such as the CRBC project and construction of small dams, adding that the efforts It is expected to irrigate lakhs of acres of barren land. It is playing an important role in the food security of the country.
“To increase yield per acre, modern farming techniques are being introduced, with a focus on achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural production and increasing exports to earn foreign exchange,” he added.
Provincial Minister Muhammad Sajjad Barkwal also addressed the gathering and highlighted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Security Support Project. Launched with financial support from the Asian Development Bank and Japan, the $88 million five-year project, the KP Food Security Support Project aims to improve food security in the province.
The project focuses on agricultural development in flood-affected districts including Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swat, Malakand and Upper Dir. It will also promote climate-resilient agriculture, provide certified seeds and fertilizers to 450,000 farmers, and encourage vertical farming to increase vegetable production.