PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has ordered the agriculture department to introduce a “system of cluster solar tubewells” and construct dams for bringing the maximum barren land under cultivation.

He also asked the department to introduce a modern irrigation system to ensure the careful use of available water in the province.

“This exercise will pave the way for KP’s self-sufficiency in agricultural products and food security,” he told a meeting of the irrigation department at the Chief Minister’s House here.

The meeting was attended by minister for irrigation Aqibullah, additional chief secretary of the planning and development Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah, principal secretary to the chief minister Amjad Ali Khan, administrative secretaries of the departments concerned, and other relevant officials, according to an official statement Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Thursday.

Says modern irrigation system should also be introduced

The chief minister was given a detailed briefing about the administrative affairs, development projects, reforms, future plans and other related matters of the department.

Mr Gandapur directed authorities to introduce geographic information system for the collection of aabyana (water charges) and other related taxes besides to increase the fixed fines and penalties to prevent water theft and other illegal activities in the province.

He said it was the priority of his government to make KP self-sufficient in agricultural products. He directed the quarters concerned to focus on introducing result-oriented research techniques in the agriculture sector as well as expediting work on the ongoing development projects.

“The Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal project is of vital importance,” he said.

The CM added that the project would help bring millions of acres of barren land of southern districts under cultivation.

He directed authorities to compile realistic data of all small dams and command areas in the province and said the irrigation department should pay special attention to digitise all its affairs as early as possible.

Mr Gandapur directed departments to fix realistic timelines for the contracts of development projects and said contractors would be responsible to ensure progress on the projects as per stipulated timelines.

“If any contractor fails to meet deadlines, fines should be imposed on him,” he said.

The CM also chaired a meeting of the livestock department and said there was considerable potential in the livestock sector to provide employment opportunities and increase the province’s income.

“We just need to develop this productive sector along modern lines to utilise this potential in an effective and useful manner,” he said, directing authorities to come up with a comprehensive and viable plan.

Mr Gandapur directed the livestock department to work on the increase in and value addition of dairy products and initiate a programme for imparting advanced skills and training to people in the livestock sector.

“A specific program should be devised in order to provide interest-free loans to people for rearing good breed cattle,” he said.

Mr Gandapur asked authorities to promote fisheries and come up with a comprehensive strategy for it.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2024