Quetta, September 10, 2020 (PPI-OT): Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said that there is ample scope for development and expansion of agriculture sector in the province. By taking full advantage of the opportunities for development of agriculture sector, poverty reduction, increase in employment and economic activities can be promoted and this will also lead to lasting peace, the current water situation in the dams, the completion of more dam construction projects and the Kachhi Dam project will cultivate millions of acres of land, which will have a positive impact on the economy of the province, he said. He said this while reviewing the progress of ongoing and new projects in the agriculture sector.
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Zamrak Khan Achakzai, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Abdul Rehman Bazdar were also present in the meeting. Giving a briefing on the progress of the projects, secretary agriculture and cooperatives qambar dashti said that the agriculture sector has 27 ongoing projects at a cost of Rs. 37212 million and 16 new projects at a cost of Rs. 2905 million out of which 8 ongoing and 10 new projects will be completed this year.
Use of advanced technology for savings water, projects include promotion of tunnel farming, strengthening of department’s research laboratories, promotion of research and development, production of improved crops through registration and certification of new varieties of seeds of wheat, rice, barley and vegetables. Awareness training programs for landowners on modern farming methods are also underway.
Referring to Kachi Canal Command Area Development Project, he said that under Phase-I of the project, 37877 acres of land connected to one to 10 distributors are being made cultivable at a cost of Rs. 1670 million while the land attached to 11 to 15 distributors will be made cultivable under Part B of Phase-I at an estimated cost of Rs. 550 million. The Agriculture Secretary also briefed the meeting about the Mirani Dam Command Area Development Program and the issue of payment of compensation to the effectives of the dam.
Briefing on the proposed agricultural development project in the southern parts of the province with the assistance of the federal government, the Agriculture Secretary said that short-term, medium-term and long-term projects proposed for agricultural development in the ten southern districts of the province. Term plans have been sent to the federal government. On this occasion, the Chief Minister directed to complete the development projects of the department within the stipulated time and said that the department should work on its own development projects by employing local engineers.
For more information, contact:
Press Secretary,
Government of Balochistan
Chief Minister Secretariat,
Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
Tel: +92-81-9202526
Website: http://balochistan.gov.pk/