PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed officials to work out the modalities for establishment of an agriculture university in Swat.

Chairing a meeting here on Wednesday, he said basic objective of the project was to provide access to quality agriculture education at the doorsteps of farming community by establishing academia and allied facilities in the area, according to a statement.

The meeting was also attended by minister agriculture Mohibullah Khan, minister environment Ishtiaq Urmar, principal secretary to chief minister Shahab Ali Shah and others.

Mahmood was briefed about the proposed departments of the university which included horticulture sciences, soil and environmental sciences, plant protection, food sciences, agronomy, livestock and veterinary sciences, fisheries and aquaculture, medical plants, agribusiness, forestry and technical diploma programme.

The chief minister said setting up an agriculture university was important in the backdrop of National Agriculture Emergency Plan.

He said the proposed varsity would use the Takhta Band Research Centre for the coming three years or till completion of its separate building whereas the outreach directorate of agriculture research would be used as a bridge between the academia and agriculture extension.

He directed that a technical team headed by secretary agriculture should evaluate the existing facilities and resources needed for initiating classes in the university in addition to working out all modalities for acquisition of land and preparation of PC-1 as per the requirements of the university.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2019