In a landmark event aimed at recognizing the backbone of the nation's economy, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi inaugurated the first-ever 'Governor Kisan Award' in Peshawar on Wednesday. The ceremony was held to honor the relentless efforts and significant contributions of farmers from across the province.
A Celebration of Agricultural Champions
The governor personally conferred awards upon 150 hardworking and distinguished farmers hailing from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This initiative marked the first time such recognition was granted at the provincial level, celebrating their pivotal role in agriculture and rural development.
Adding an element of surprise and further generosity, the event featured a lucky draw. Through this draw, two fortunate farmers, Ghafoor Damani and Zohaib Khan, were gifted Umrah tickets. In a parallel gesture to promote sports, sponsorship cheques were awarded to athletes Abdullah Nawaz and Mahwish Ali.
Farmers' Voices and Governor's Vision
Addressing the gathering, farmers and growers expressed profound gratitude for the unprecedented acknowledgment of their work. They described the Governor Kisan Award as a historic step towards empowering the farming community. Speakers at the event did not shy away from highlighting pressing challenges, including issues related to crop protection and the urgent need to bring barren land under cultivation to ensure food security and boost the provincial economy.
Congratulating the recipients, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi stated that the core aim of the award is to make farmers self-reliant and transform agriculture into a profitable sector. He emphatically declared that farmers and landowners are the foundation of both the provincial and national economy. "If agriculture thrives, the country’s economy will also prosper," he asserted.
Addressing Core Issues and Future Plans
The Governor voiced strong regret over the fact that, despite the 1991 water share agreement, no major water projects have been initiated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He drew a direct link between agricultural prosperity and regional stability, suggesting that cultivating land and ensuring farmers' success would also help in curbing terrorism.
He stressed the critical need for both federal and provincial governments to provide subsidies to all farmers, regardless of the size of their landholding. Governor Kundi promised to forward his concrete recommendations on this matter to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Reiterating that Pakistan is fundamentally an agricultural country, he underscored the vast untapped potential in the province. He pointed specifically to the millions of acres of barren land in the southern districts that could be made cultivable through adequate water supply, modern irrigation systems, and sustained government support.
Concluding his address, the Governor extended thanks to all partner institutions and stakeholders whose support was instrumental in making the inaugural 'Governor Kisan Award' ceremony a resounding success.
