Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar visited the Directorate General Agriculture Extension in Peshawar, where he inspected various wings of the Agriculture Department and received a detailed briefing on ongoing activities and development projects.
Tribute to Martyrs
During the visit, Mian Muhammad Umar paid tribute to the martyrs of the Agricultural Training Academy tragedy by laying a floral wreath at the martyrs' memorial and honoring their sacrifices. He also toured the Agriculture Services Academy and the Bureau of Agriculture Information, where officials provided comprehensive briefings on institutional performance, ongoing initiatives, and future strategies.
Commitment to Modernization
Umar reaffirmed his commitment to making the Bureau of Agriculture Information more active, effective, and aligned with modern requirements, emphasizing that timely and accurate dissemination of agricultural information to farmers is essential for agricultural development.
Meeting with Senior Officers
Later, an important meeting was held with senior officers of the Agriculture Department to discuss departmental affairs, ongoing development projects, agricultural reforms, and challenges faced by farmers. Addressing the meeting, the Advisor directed that the department be made a genuinely farmer-friendly and public service-oriented institution at the district level to ensure timely and effective delivery of all services to growers.
Accountability and Incentives
He stressed the need for an effective system of accountability and incentives within the department, making it clear that strict action would be taken against officials displaying negligence, inefficiency, or irresponsibility in the discharge of their duties, while officers and employees demonstrating outstanding performance would be encouraged and rewarded.
Focus on Biological Pest Control
Umar also directed practical measures for promoting biological control of pests that damage fruits and vegetables. He said that reducing excessive and unnecessary use of pesticides on agricultural produce is a pressing need of the time. He emphasized the promotion of modern and environmentally friendly farming practices to ensure food safety and protect public health.
Inter-Agency Cooperation
The Advisor further instructed the department to work jointly with the federal government to strengthen regulation, monitoring, and use of agricultural chemicals. He noted that inter-agency cooperation is vital for safeguarding public health and stressed the need for stronger coordination among relevant institutions and adoption of a comprehensive strategy for effective pesticide monitoring.
Fertilizer Movement Monitoring
The meeting also reviewed measures for monitoring inter-provincial transportation of fertilizers. Umar directed that check posts established for monitoring fertilizer movement be further strengthened to prevent illegal transportation and hoarding. He also instructed the authorities concerned to enhance the monitoring mechanism and perform their responsibilities more effectively.
Government Commitment to Farmers
Reaffirming the government's commitment to farmers, Mian Umar said that timely provision of quality agricultural inputs, fertilizers, seeds, and other essential facilities remains a top priority. He added that all available resources would be utilized to promote agricultural development, improve farmers' livelihoods, and ensure food security, while the process of reforms aimed at further improving the performance of the Agriculture Department would continue.
