Horticultural development: Italy extends grant for Swat valley

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Italy Vincenzo Prati and Economic Affairs Division Secretary Dr Waqar Masood Khan have signed an agreement under which Italy will provide a grant of 1.3 million euros to Pakistan for horticultural development in Swat. According to the agreement, the grant is to be utilised for the improvement of agricultural sectors which have been adversely affected due to militancy. While speaking on the occasion, Dr Khan thanked the government of Italy for extending support to growers in the Swat valley. He expressed hope that the grant would help improve farmers’ incomes and benefit them more generally. In his remarks, Prati said that the grant would help fruit and vegetable growers in Swat improve production and their marketing value chain.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2012.