ISLAMABAD: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and National Agriculture Research Cen­tre (NARC) launched on Wed­nesday a project for capa­city development of agri­­­­­culture extension services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The federal government has already approved the project, costing Rs120.878 million, including Rs117.478m as grant from JICA.

Under this project, 100 agriculture officers and 250 field assistants will be trained at NARC in different areas of agriculture.

Necessary equipment will be provided to Agriculture Poly-technique Institute (API) at NARC to strengthen its capacity. For an effective dissemination of knowledge about new agricultural practices, and farming techniques to farmers, JICA will also provide equipment to 25 model farms service centres in the province. NARC Chairman Dr Mohammad Azeem Khan acknowledged the role of JICA for promotion of agriculture in Pakistan.

JICA Representative, Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki highlighted that agriculture is the major source of livelihood in Pakistan, particularly in KP. Agriculture and livestock combined provide livelihood to 83 per cent people living in rural areas and contribute 21pc to provincial GDP and engage more than 36pc of the labour force of KP.

Dr Munir Ahmad, acting Chairman of Pakistan Agri­cultural Research Council also spoke.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2014