CHARSADDA: Provincial Minister for Agriculture retired Major Sajjad Barakwal has directed officials concerned to take immediate steps for release of funds to facilitate flood-affected farmers of Charsaadda.

He also ordered releasing Rs110 million for on-farm water management and Rs20 million for water conservation in the district. Development works with support of World Bank should be started as soon as possible in the flood-affected areas, he said.

The minister issued these directives during a khuli kutcheri of farmers here on Thursday.

Addressing on the occasion, the minister said that financial prosperity of poor farmers was the first priority of government. “With support of World Bank, we are starting projects in flood-affected areas,” he said. He said that seed would be distributed among farmers. He said that problems of farmers would be resolved at their doorsteps on priority basis according to the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan and Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

He instructed relevant officials to keep the doors of their offices open for the farmers. He added timely distribution of seeds and fertiliser among the farmers should be ensured.

On the occasion, farmers’ representatives opposed establishment of housing societies on fertile agricultural lands and stressed the need for awareness about modern methods of farming. They also talked about non-availability of machinery and equipment, development funds, distribution of seeds at government level and declaring flood-affected lands as calamity-hit areas.

The farmers also presented their demands to the minister, who said that necessary steps were being taken to promote agriculture and provide facilities to farmers across the province. He said that work was under way on other major projects including food security, with the cooperation of farmers in the province.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024