ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received a paltry revenue of Rs1.23 billion on more than 26 million square yards of agriculture farms since the scheme was launched in 1970. These farms have been producing almost nothing for the population of Islamabad.
The 539 vegetable, fruit and poultry farms were supposed to cultivate fruits and vegetables to meet the need of the city but these have been turned into palatial residences by their owners instead.
Sources said since building houses on the permitted 12,500 square feet (initially allowed construction only on 2,250 sq ft) farmland, the owners showed little interest in cultivation, the main reason the lands on the outskirts of the capital were allotted to them at nominal prices.
“CDA leased out land for agro-farming and so for a total of 5438.02 acres [26.32 million square yard] are being used for this purpose. The government has till date received Rs1,238.192 million in revenues from these leased land,” Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in his written reply to a question asked by Senator Fida Mohammad told the Senate on Thursday.
The minister said these plots had been allotted for the purpose of growing vegetables, poultry and orchard farming, adding total time period of the lease was 33 years which can be extended once or twice for the same period. The minister also shared with the members a list of the allottees.
CDA has received only Rs1.2bn from over 26 million square yards agriculture farms since 1970, Senate told
The list showed that majority of the original owners had sold their farms mostly to the elite class of the country.
According to the minister’s written reply, owners of vegetable farms were supposed to grow vegetables on 80pc of the leased land. In orchard/vegetable farms, vegetables were to be grown on 40pc of the land. For poultry and vegetable farms, the owners were supposed to grow vegetables on 80pc land with 75 broilers or 1,500 layers per acre. Similarly, the allottees of horticulture/orchard farms were supposed to grow flowers and vegetables on 40pc land and 60 to 70 fruit trees.
The document said building with covered area of 9,500 sq ft without charges and 2500 sq ft additional area with charges was allowed in all the farms.
Sources in the CDA said since 1970 the civic agency had allotted 539 farmhouses for cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers and poultry. These farms are located in various areas, including Park Road Chak Shahzad, Kahuta Road, Murree Road, Tarlai Kalan, Sehana and in H-9.
However, instead of contributing to the need of city’s population for agro and poultry product, these farms particularly those along Murree Road and Chak Shahzad were used for luxury housing.
The CDA in November last year at a meeting had decided to push the farm owners to produce fruits and vegetables for the city in accordance with their lease agreement.
Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed while chairing the meeting had also formed a committee, comprising three directors, to motivate the farm owners to cultivate vegetables and fruits otherwise action should be taken against them.
The CDA had also decided to set up a farmers’ market on Park Road.
However, the sources said, the committee was yet to complete a survey to point out violations being committed by the owners of farmhouses.
“We are working on the issue. The owners of farmhouses will have to produce agro product in accordance with their lease agreement. Otherwise we will take action against them,” said one of the directors who is involved in the survey.
Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2021
