TIMES REPORT
ABBOTTABAD: Adviser to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture, Mian Muhammad Umar, paid a one-day visit to Abbottabad on Friday, where he visited the Agriculture Extension Department, Model Farm Services Centre, Hazara Agriculture Research Station (HARS), and other agricultural facilities. During the visit, he was briefed on the progress of the agricultural sector in Hazara Division, ongoing development projects, and research activities.
District Director Agriculture Extension Altaf-ur-Rehman informed the adviser that olive cultivation has been introduced on 16 acres in Abbottabad, while vertical farming is being practiced on 5 acres and eight walk-in tunnels have been established. He further stated that saffron cultivation has been undertaken on a trial basis over four kanals of land.
The District Director Agriculture Haripur informed the meeting that a 129-kanal fruit farm in the district is producing various fruits, including oranges, lychees, peaches, apricots, and harir (inknut).
Mian Muhammad Umar directed agriculture officials to maintain close coordination with farmers and raise awareness about modern agricultural practices, technologies, and mechanized farming. He said that the provincial government is committed to expanding cultivable land and promoting agricultural development across the province. He assured that all possible facilities would be provided to farmers and emphasized the need for adequate funding for all wings of the Agriculture Department.
During the visit, the adviser took notice of damage caused to orange and lychee orchards in Khanpur due to saline water discharged from an ice factory. He directed the district administration of Haripur and other relevant authorities to take immediate action in the matter.
During his visit to the Hazara Agriculture Research Station, Director Naseem Ahmad briefed the adviser that the station initially started research on potato cultivation and has since expanded its scope to include the development of climate-resilient crop seeds and research in various agricultural fields. He said that thousands of kilograms of certified seed are produced annually and supplied to farmers.
The briefing further highlighted that the 45-year-old research station is actively engaged in research related to horticulture, vegetables, food technology, plant protection, and crop breeding. More than 300 varieties of fruit have been conserved and developed through its germplasm units, while mushroom cultivation has also been initiated. Work is also underway on the establishment of a sub-station of the research centre in Kaghan.
On the occasion, Mian Muhammad Umar also inaugurated the Entomology Research Laboratory. The laboratory will conduct research on harmful and beneficial insects affecting crops, helping enhance agricultural productivity and protect crops from pest-related damage.
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