Agriculture experts have urged the government to extend financial and technical support towards efforts aimed at controlling increasing post-harvest losses of major crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, experts informed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Sharam Khan Tarakai during his visit to Agriculture University Peshawar here on Thursday.
University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Afzal Khan, deans and chairmen of various departments, agriculture experts and officials of relevant departments were present on the occasion. Several issues were discussed with a view to increasing production of different crops and seeking solution to problems being facing by farmers in KP.
Abdul Salaam, Deputy Director Planning and Development, Agriculture University Peshawar pointed out that due to a lack of financial and technical assistance to farmers, 35 to 40 percent post-harvest losses are occurring to major crops. Similarly, he said the farmers are not preparing to cultivate on dry land.
Yasir Iqbal Paracha, Director Vice Chancellor Secretariat also gave a presentation about goals and achievements of his university, and explained its ongoing projects and future plans in agriculture sector. Minister Tarakai said that a concrete policy has been devised for the development of agriculture sector, livestock, fisheries, particularly olive sector.
He said that all resources and financial support will be provided to farmers and students to further boost up this sector. He said that government is going to induct more than 12,000 new teachers on vacant positions in the province. He said universities will be established at every district of the province under a long-term planning in higher education sector. Later, the KP minister distributed Higher Education Commission scholarships among more than 40 university students.
