TAXILA: Agency for Barani Area Development (Abad) has been playing a vital role for development of the agricultural sector and prosperity of farmers, the agency’s chief Quratul Ain Irshad said at a seminar held at the Tehsil Council hall for the launch of a project titled ‘Rehabilitation of Mini Dams and Ponds in Rawalpindi Division’ in Attock on Friday.

Labourers and farmers from different areas of Attock district along with officials of the agricultural department attended the seminar.

An amount of Rs300 million will be spent on the project during the current fiscal year and the department is working on transforming the socio-economic landscape of the rain-fed region by creating enormous avenues of livelihood, Ms Irshad said, adding the programme was being implemented through proper coordination, monitoring and evaluation.

She said in order to uplift the marginalised population of the pluvial Punjab Barani Tract, stretching over 13 districts of the province, the agency invested Rs8 billion to complete 40 publicly-funded projects related to agriculture, institutional development, multi-sectoral development, afforestation, range management, agriculture mechanism, livestock development, soil and water conservation, and water resource development.

So far, she said, more than 1,200 small dams and ponds have been built in districts of the Rawalpindi Division including Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Rawalpindi, adding for the rehabilitation of dams and ponds under the new project, so far Rs166 million has been released and the government would share 80pc of the cost.

For development of livestock, she added different projects have been completed while work on development of skills of people has also been done for self employment.

Apprising farmers about a new project at the cost of Rs10 billion, she said it will be initiated in 13 districts of Punjab and will help in improving the agricultural sector.

She said the agency will offer a financial assistance programme to farmers, particularly those from the barani area.

Abad Regional Director Mohammad Akram and assistant director of the agency Mazhar Cheema also spoke on the occasion and explained to the participants how they could benefit from the new projects.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2020