RAWALPINDI: A coordinated strategy should be made to cultivate high-value crops and enhance the efficient usage of water resources in the Potohar region said Commissioner Aamir Khattak on Tuesday.

During his visit to the agriculture department, Mr Khattak highlighted the vast potential of Potohar region in producing in-demand fruits and high-value crops which according to him can transform the lives of farmers.

“The use of modern technology can not only increase the production of fruits and vegetables but also enable their exports. This can prove to be more profitable for farmers of the fertile region,” he said.

The commissioner further stated that zoning should be done for the production and supply of quality seeds in Potohar region.

“Nurseries should be established to ensure supply of suitable and healthy plants and farmers trained to adopt highly efficient systems,” he said, adding that the process of construction of check dams and protective walls needs to be accelerated to protect Potohar from land degradation.

Mr Khattak said tunnel farming should be promoted to ensure availability of vegetables throughout the year and special steps taken to educate vegetable farmers.

Rawalpindi Division Agriculture Director (Extension) Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, while briefing the commissioner, said the agricultural development projects initiated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were being executed across the division.

“The provision of Kisan Card has made it very easy for farmers to purchase agricultural inputs. In Rawalpindi division, 526 tractors have been given to farmers through lottery, out of which 478 tractors have been handed over to the farmers so far,” he said.

Commissioner Aamir Khattak also visited the Punjab Chief Minister Kisan Card Centre at the Rawalpindi Agriculture Complex.

Director Agriculture Reform Irrigation Rawalpindi Raja Hassan Raza Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) Attock Muhammad Javed, Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) Chakwal Syed Kazim Shah, Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) Rawalpindi Malik Naeem Akhtar and Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) Talagang Ziaul Hassan were also present during his visit.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2025