PESHAWAR: The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Agriculture University, Peshawar, have agreed to jointly work for the development of dairy sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Following a briefing on the issues of dairy and livestock sector by Prof Mohammad Subhan Qureshi, dean of Agriculture University Peshawar, to members of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, SCCI president Haji Mohammad Afzal said agriculture was the main source of employment in the province but it needed proper attention of both public and private sectors.

He appreciated the idea floated by the dairy science park regarding promotion of the dairy and livestock sector and expressed the hope that with the implementation of the proposal of Prof Mohammad Subhan Qureshi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be able to export meat and various dairy items to different countries.

Earlier, the professor gave a presentation about research in the Dairy Science Park, Agriculture University Peshawar and suggested that if attention was given on awareness of farmers, the consumers be able to get quality milk, meat and other dairy items at reasonable price.

Dr Qureshi said members of the KP Assembly should take keen interest in making legislation for the promotion of the agriculture and strengthen local economy.

He also suggested that farmers be given necessary training so that they could treat animals on their doorstep.

The professor said the idea about development of dairy sector had already been given to the provincial government for the establishment of an autonomous institution in this regard.

He said if the proposal was approved, the government would be able to provide jobs to all new agriculture graduates.

SCCI senior vice president Mohammad Iqbal and vice president Abidullah Yousufzai, MPA Nasreen Khattak, Prof Shoaib Sultan Afridi, Dr Shakirullah, Dr Shah Murad and Sadar Gul also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn February 4th, 2017