PESHAWAR: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has assured the provincial government of its support to strengthen the economy in tribal districts by improving commercial agriculture production and businesses as well as developing better cross-border market linkages for farmers and traders.

A statement issued here said that the FAO representative in Pakistan, Rebekah Bell, met with MNA Nafeesa Khattak and Mansoor Khattak, the deputy commissioner of Khyber tribal district, and discussed the rural market opportunities for farmers in the newly merged districts of the province and the challenges faced by growers and traders in Khyber.

The markets of the Khyber farmers are mostly situated in the neighbouring Afghanistan.

“The federal government is actively working on strengthening Pakistan’s trade relationship with Afghanistan including improving the performance of border agencies, better border infrastructure and improving border clearance procedures,” said Ms Khattak.

She said that improving agriculture production in the merged districts and connecting small farmers with markets in Pakistan and Afghanistan were the priorities of the federal government.

Rebekah Bell said on the occasion that FAO had a longstanding relationship with the federal and provincial governments to support the farmers of the merged districts.

“FAO, with the provincial agriculture and livestock departments, is assisting farmers in achieving better agriculture production outcomes and stronger market linkages to significantly increase their income. We look forward to deepening our work with the federal and provincial governments in support of strengthening cross-border trade opportunities for small farmers,” he said.

FAO through various interventions in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is contributing to the economic growth of the region by providing improved agriculture inputs and farmer field schools as well as improved access to information for smallholder farmers.

With the goal of better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, FAO is committed to transform the food systems and respond to the emerging needs and priorities of smallholder farmers.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2021