CHITRAL: The extension wing of agriculture department has successfully introduced two indeterminate varieties of tomato in lower parts of Chitral on experimental basis, anticipating that the area will become one of the top producers of the vegetable in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in future.

This was disclosed by officials while speaking on the occasion of a ‘kisan field day’ attended by farmers and growers as well elders from different valleys of Upper and Lower Chitral districts.

Special assistant to the chief minister Wazir Zada, MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and MPA Maulana Hedayatur Rehman gave away prizes and shields to the best wheat and tomato growers.

District director agriculture Naeem Khan, deputy director Rafiq Ahmed and agricultural officer Shahzad Ayub told the participants that the soil and environmental conditions were found highly suitable for growth and productivity of tomato varieties after observation in 38 demonstration plots.

Agriculture dept successfully introduces two varieties of tomato in district

Detailing the major activities of the department for promotion of agriculture during the current year, they said 12,000 farmers were informed about crop management and saving fruit plants from diseases.

They said a new variety of maize was also introduced and seeds, pesticides and nutrients were provided to farmers apart from technical support.

The agriculture department officials said keeping in view the suitability of certain fruit plants, including cherry, peach and pear, the department had distributed about 11,000 saplings to farmers in different areas at subsidised rates.

The farm officers also highlighted the problems hampering the department’s performance, saying allocations for carrying out such activities were too low to meet the expenses. They added strength of field staff also did not commensurate with the area’s vast expanse.

Fariduddin and Sharif Hussain, who represented the farmers, highlighted the issues faced by their community, and expressed dismay over the indifferent attitude of the government towards the agriculture sector despite it being the backbone of national economy.

They said there were so many departments with specialised fields ranging from reclamation of soil to on-farm water management to harvesting rainwater, but they did not render the required services in their respective fields.

Speaking on the occasion, CM’s aide Wazir Zada appreciated the efforts of agriculture department’s extension wing despite limited resources and field staff, and promised resolving the problems by using his clout in the government.

MNA Maulana Chitrali said like every other field, the agriculture sector had also been politicised. He said Chitral was ideal for farming activities due to its vast tracts of land and easy availability of workforce. He promised highlighting the issues in the assembly.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2021