Hoti launches mechanised farming project at Tarnab

December 04, 2012: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti has formally launched Mechanised Farming Project and Agriculture Policy at Tarnab Farm on Monday. Addressing the ceremony, he said that project of mechanised farming and agriculture policy will prove harbinger of progress in active government functionaries, financial improvement of farmers and progress in agriculture production.

Provincial Agriculture Minister Arbab Muhammad Ayub Jan, Provincial Minister For Animal Husbandry Haji Hidayatullah, MPA Saqib Chamkani, administrative secretaries of agriculture, livestock and fishery departments, vice chancellor agriculture university, faculty members, agriculturists, scientists and farmers were also present on the occasion.

He said that the project will make available modern technology, environment and facilities to enable farmers to yield more production from their limited areas. The chief minister said that increase in agriculture sector due to 18th amendment, agriculture policy congruent to modern needs was needed. He said that 10 years agriculture policy with assistance of F.A.O, has been prepared bearing self-sufficiency in agriculture and achievement of priorities in mind, added, implementation on the policy has commenced.

He said that under the policy worth Rs 500 million, farmers will be provided with modern technology at subsidised rates and other benefits and facilities. He said that resources will be provided to Model Farms Services Center in the form of endowment fund. He said that the province has the lead in preparing agriculture policy at national and provincial levels under which the guidance will be provided to agriculture sector for coming 10 years.

He said that the government has allocated Rs 2 billion to agriculture for achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture this year but the previous government has allocated Rs 322 million. He said that future of the province was linked to investment in hydel power, oil and gas and agriculture. He approved construction of road from GT Road to Tarnab Farm and issued directives to concerned authorities in this connection.

The chief minister also distributed endowment funds cheques among representatives of different farms services centers and offered honorary certificates to prominent performers agriculture scientists and officers and personnel of livestock and agriculture departments.

Courtesy Business Recorder