K-P minister for improving agriculture in Swat

Mohibullah Khan says scientists are developing new varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables

SWAT: Noting that the valley is popular around the world for producing delicious fruits, vegetables and other organic products, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Mohibullah Khan on Sunday directed senior officials of his department to ensure that the process of expediting and streamlining the extension of the department’s wing in the Swat district.

“Protecting crops and orchards from numerous diseases, increasing their per-acre-yield and providing the latest information, training and guidance to the farmers is the need of the hour," Mohibullah said while visiting orchards in Swat on Sunday.

Mohibullah also gave necessary instructions to the Extension District Director Uzair Khan.

Appreciating the overall performance of agriculture extension and research sectors, the provincial minister urged all officers and employees of the department to jointly develop the agriculture sector in the valley.

He further hoped that they would also leave no stone unturned in making the province self-sufficient in food production by introducing modern technologies for the purpose.

The minister stated that he wanted to see practical work in the sector. He added that he has undertaken frequent visits all over the province with senior department officials to ensure maximum output.

Mohibullah said that Pakistan is an agrarian country in general and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in particular, enjoying a unique reputation and respect in agriculture.

The minister said that his government is embarking on a policy of reward and punishment’ to make all departments subservient to the masses.

For this purpose, he said that agriculture scientists are exploring and developing new varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables, along with human-friendly pesticides and modern technologies would be highly encouraged but lethargic and corrupt would not be spared at any cost in his department, he concluded.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2019.