Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti has formally launched Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mechanized Farming Project at Tarnab Farm on Monday.
He said that project of mechanized farming and agriculture policy will prove harbinger of progress in active government functionaries, financial improvement of farmers and progress in agriculture production.
He said that the project will make available modern technology, environment and facilities to enable farmers to yield more production from their limited areas.
Provincial Agriculture Minister Arbab Muhammad Ayub Jan, Provincial Minister For Animal Husbandry Haji Hidayat Ullah, 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.
The CM said that increase in responsibilities of government 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. 500million, farmers will be provided with modern technology at subsidized rates and other benefits and facilities.
Hoti 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 level under which guidance will be provided to agriculture sector for coming 10 years. he said that agriculture has a backbone role in provincial economy and our rural development depended 80% on agriculture.
The Chief Minister said that the present 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 on one hand the province was confronting difficulties and challenges, but on the other, God has bestowed the province with opportunities in different sectors including education, hydel power, oil and gas and agriculture sectors.
He said that the present government was committed for removal of darkness of ignorance through light of knowledge, added, establishment of eight universities, scholarships for intelligent students, financial assistance to students of far flung areas through public private partnership, financial assistance to families for girls education in torghar and kohestan and other programs reflect this commitment of the government.
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.
