Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Major (R) Muhammad Sajjad Barakwal has on Monday evening formally laid the foundation stone of the new Agricultural Research Station Ghundi Shahbaz Khan in District Karak.
On this occasion, MPA Khurshid Khattak, Director Research and Planning Agriculture Tahir Sajjad, Tehsil Headquarters Mayor Azmat Khattak, PTI workers, senior officers of the Agriculture Department, Local elders, farmers and a large number of other concerned present were present.
Addressing the ceremony, the Minister highlighted the importance of the project and said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is giving top priority to research and development in the agriculture sector so that food self-sufficiency in the province, increase in agricultural production and welfare of farmers can be ensured. He said that this project is being implemented under the rehabilitation and expansion of the Agricultural Research Station Ahmedwala Karak, which aims to promote modern agricultural research in the area, familiarize local farmers with modern farming methods and bring development in the agricultural sector. He added that this research station will act as a training center for local farmers where solutions to agricultural problems and guidance based on modern research will be provided.
Agriculture Minister promised that people from this area will be recruited for these posts so that employment opportunities are available at the local level and the youth can be involved in positive activities. He further said that this station will not only be a centre of modern research but will also become a major source of providing fruits and vegetables to the entire Karak district.
Large nurseries will be established here and research activities will be carried out. Experts from every department, including technical, engineering, soil conservation, will render services here so that solutions can be provided to all the problems faced by farmers, he asserted.
The Minister emphasized that the types of plants, fruits and vegetables that are high in yield and that are more effective according to the local weather and soil will be provided here. He announced that work on the lift irrigation scheme will also be started soon and funds will be collected for it from various sources. Under the scheme, one branch will go to Banda Daud Shah, the second to Swatara and the third branch will go to Thal. In addition, the Baroch Dam will also be constructed, which will revitalise the barren plains and bring water there.
Read also: Government launches policy to provide mobile phones on easy installments
Barakwal said that work is also underway on several important roads in Karak, which will be completed soon. Moreover, in recent months, hundreds of acres of barren land have been revitalised in Karak district and various types of gardens have been planted there, which will not only increase production but also strengthen and stabilise the beauty and economy of the area.
