On special Instructions of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Major (R) Sajjad Barkwal, visited the rain and flood-affected areas of District Buner, as well as the Model Farm Services established in Daggar. He was accompanied by Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Syed Fakhar Jehan, Member of the National Assembly Shehryar Khan, Agriculture Secretary Anbar Ali, and provincial and district officers of the Agriculture Department. At the Model Farm Services, the Agriculture Minister was given a detailed briefing regarding the agricultural losses and also inspected the crops damaged by the recent rains and floods.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, the Agriculture Minister said that the recent torrential rains and floods have turned into a tragic disaster, causing not only the loss of precious human lives but also inflicting severe damage on houses, businesses, and especially agriculture. Since nearly 80 per cent of the province’s population is associated with agriculture, the losses faced by farmers are a matter of grave concern for the government.
He added that a comprehensive survey of the affected agricultural lands and crops is underway to ensure timely and effective compensation for farmers. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has announced a special relief package for the victims, under which not only the loss of lives and property but also the rehabilitation of agriculture and businesses will be ensured. Farmers will be provided with interest-free loans of longer duration, while free seeds and fertilisers will be distributed for the upcoming wheat sowing season to help make affected lands cultivable again.
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Minister Barkwal further said that the rains and floods have particularly damaged rice, maize, orchards, and vegetable crops. In this context, the Directorate General of Agriculture Extension has activated a control room that will maintain complete records and estimates of agricultural losses.
He stated that the provincial government and the Agriculture Department have also decided to establish a special task force, which will remain present in the affected areas until the rehabilitation process is completed, and will continue to provide facilities to farmers. Moreover, ongoing and new projects will give priority to disaster-hit farmers, while microfinance schemes will provide them with loans to resume their agricultural activities. The Minister clarified that most of the damage has been caused to crops, water channels, protective embankments, and agricultural lands, and assured that the government stands firmly with farmers and the affected people with full commitment.
