PESHAWAR: The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has started distribution of certified maize seed packages to 3,750 farmer families in Orakzai Agency.

A statement said here on Wednesday that FAO under its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) project was providing 20 kilograms of maize seeds to each household in the militancy-stricken area.

Untoward security situation had forced these farmers to abandon their homes and agricultural lands. The FAO said that displaced families had continued to return to their homes and the seeds would enable the newly returned farmers to resume production of the staple crop.

The statement said that distribution of seeds would revitalise farming in the area and also become a source of improving food and nutrition security of vulnerable farmers and their families most of whom were located in remote villages of the agency.

This is worth mentioning that Fata Disaster Management Authority has completed return of displaced families to their homes in Orakzai Agency. Civilians had fled their homes in Orakzai Agency due to militancy.

Farrukh Toirov, FAO representative in Pakistan, said in the statement that they were helping the farmers in Orakzai to resume agriculture on their lands.

“These sustainable agriculture development initiatives will enable them to rebuild their livelihood and improve the lives of their children. Improved farming results in increased food availability in the household and enables selling of the surplus enriching the local markets and generating cash income,” he added.

FAO and WFP are jointly implementing the CERF-funded project that targets Orakzai, Kurram and South Waziristan agencies in Fata. Total 456, 901 returnees to the three agencies will benefit from the relief food assistance combined with emergency agriculture and livestock support.

The project under CERF funding is aligned with CERF Life Saving Criteria as it aims at providing timely critical recovery support to those in immediate need of help to meet their food and nutrition requirements and initiate agro-based livelihood activities in the affected areas.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2018