DLP Report
ABBOTTABAD
Adviser to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture, Mian Muhammad Umar, on Friday visited Abbottabad and reviewed ongoing agricultural research, development projects and extension activities in Hazara Division.
During the visit, the adviser inspected the Agriculture Extension Department, Model Farm Services Centre, Hazara Agriculture Research Station (HARS), and other facilities. Officials briefed him on progress in the agriculture sector and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting modern farming techniques.
District Director Agriculture Extension Altaf-ur-Rehman informed the adviser that olive cultivation has been introduced on 16 acres in Abbottabad, while vertical farming is being practiced on five acres. He added that eight walk-in tunnels have been established and saffron cultivation has been initiated on a trial basis over four kanals.
Separately, District Director Agriculture Haripur said a 129-kanal fruit farm in the district is producing a variety of fruits, including oranges, lychees, peaches, apricots and harir (inknut).
The adviser directed agriculture officials to strengthen coordination with farmers and enhance awareness regarding modern agricultural practices, mechanised farming and new technologies. He said the provincial government was committed to expanding cultivable land and promoting agricultural development across the province.
He assured that all possible support would be extended to farmers and emphasised the need for adequate funding for all wings of the Agriculture Department.
During the visit, Mian Muhammad Umar took notice of damage to orange and lychee orchards in Khanpur caused by saline water discharged from an ice factory. He directed the Haripur district administration and relevant authorities to take immediate action.
At the Hazara Agriculture Research Station, Director Naseem Ahmad briefed the adviser that the facility, initially focused on potato research, has expanded its scope to climate-resilient seed development and broader agricultural research.
He said the station produces thousands of kilograms of certified seed annually for distribution among farmers. The centre is also engaged in horticulture, vegetable production, food technology, plant protection and crop breeding, with more than 300 fruit varieties conserved through its germplasm units. Work on mushroom cultivation and the establishment of a sub-station in Kaghan is also under way.
Later, the adviser inaugurated the Entomology Research Laboratory, which will focus on studying harmful and beneficial insects affecting crops to improve agricultural productivity and pest management.
