Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar stated on Monday that promoting agricultural research, adopting modern technologies, and developing new crop and horticultural varieties to enhance productivity are top government priorities. He stressed that research and innovation are essential for sustainable agricultural development, food security, and farmers' prosperity. The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab Peshawar plays a pivotal role in this regard.
He expressed these views during a visit to ARI Tarnab, where he received a briefing on the performance of agricultural research programs, ongoing scientific activities, and future development plans. During the visit, Mian Umar inspected various state-of-the-art laboratories, where experts explained their functions, research initiatives, and services to the agricultural sector.
Mian Umar inaugurated the newly established Honey Quality Testing Laboratory at ARI Tarnab. This facility aims to ensure honey quality assessment and certification while promoting high-quality honey production in line with international standards. The ceremony was attended by Director General Agriculture Research Dr. Abdul Rauf, Senior Director ARI Tarnab Dr. Abdul Bari, Director Agriculture Research Merged Districts Dr. Younis, and other officials.
Officials informed Mian Umar that ARI Tarnab is the oldest agricultural research institution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Across the province, sixteen research institutes and stations are engaged in research on various crops, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural sectors, collectively managing over 1,459 acres of land. ARI Tarnab has successfully introduced numerous fruit varieties, including peach, plum, apricot, grape, almond, pomegranate, pecan nut, fig, orange, grapefruit, guava, and lychee. The institute has also developed biofortified wheat varieties, contributing to improved agricultural productivity and nutritional quality.
Speaking on the occasion, Mian Umar noted that the importance of agricultural research has increased due to climate change, water scarcity, and growing food requirements. He stressed the need for international training opportunities for scientists, upgrading research infrastructure, acquiring advanced microbial genetic materials, and ensuring effective transfer of research findings to farmers. He reiterated the KP government's commitment to providing resources for strengthening agricultural research, promoting olive cultivation, enhancing honey production, advancing modern horticulture, encouraging environmentally friendly technologies, and building research institution capacity.
He further stated that these efforts would strengthen the province's agricultural sector and increase agricultural exports. He directed authorities to make agricultural extension services more effective so that research benefits and modern technologies reach farmers directly, leading to increased productivity, improved food security, and higher farm incomes.
Officials informed the meeting that nearly 400,000 beehives have been established across the province, producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of quality honey. Similarly, modern olive varieties have been planted on 12,000 acres, and 10 olive oil extraction units have been established to support the growing olive industry. The province's only Pesticide Residue Laboratory at Tarnab provides services for testing pesticide quality and residues. Additionally, the institute has obtained accreditation for its fertilizer laboratory in line with international standards. ARI Tarnab has also achieved notable success in registering biofertilizers and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural technologies.
