In a significant administrative move aimed at bolstering rain-fed agriculture, the Agency for Barani Area Development (ABAD) has been formally integrated into the Punjab Agriculture Department. The development was announced during a high-level review meeting chaired by Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Key Meeting and Administrative Restructuring
The meeting, which focused on assessing the performance of the agriculture department's formations in Rawalpindi, saw participation from senior officials. Notable attendees included Sheereen Naz, the Director General of ABAD; ABAD Chief Muhammad Arif Khan Niazi; Dr. Parvez Sikandar, Additional Director General Soil Conservation; Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, Director Agriculture (Extension); Farhana Jameel, Director Irrigation Improvement; and Raja Hassan Raza Khan, Deputy Director Irrigation Improvement Rawalpindi.
Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo officially confirmed that ABAD is now a part of the administrative structure of the Agriculture Department Punjab. During the session, a comprehensive briefing detailed the agency's functional and operational scope, revealing that its jurisdiction spans 13 rain-fed (barani) districts across the province.
Focus on Performance and International Linkages
To drive further progress, Secretary Sahoo issued clear directives. He instructed officials to prepare practical proposals for improving ABAD's performance. Emphasizing the need for global expertise, he also stressed strengthening linkages with international organizations to enhance the agency's technical and operational capacity.
The Secretary highlighted that these strategic measures are designed to directly contribute to the economic uplift of farmers in the barani regions and significantly boost overall agricultural productivity in these areas.
Review of Major Development Programs in Potohar
The meeting also served as a platform to review ongoing development initiatives in the Potohar region. Officials informed the Secretary about the progress of the Chief Minister Punjab's Agriculture Transformation Plan, a mega project with a total cost of Rs7 billion.
A major component of this plan is the water-use efficiency program, which alone will utilize a substantial Rs4 billion. Under this initiative, farmers are being provided a 70 percent subsidy to adopt technologies and practices that promote water conservation.
Other key projects under review include:
- Construction of 500 mini dams at a cost of Rs1 billion for soil and water conservation.
- Implementation of a Rs370 million project to promote and expand ginger cultivation in the Potohar region.
The integration of ABAD and the continued investment in large-scale development programs underscore the government's focused strategy to transform agriculture in Punjab's rain-fed areas, ensuring sustainable growth and better livelihoods for farmers.
