ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan: Hazara Division Commissioner Shah Rukh Ali Khan has directed agriculture officials to strengthen modern farming facilities, ensure the availability of quality seeds and take effective measures to increase agricultural production during a visit to the District Agriculture Office and Model Farm Services Centre in Abbottabad.
The commissioner visited the facilities alongside Abbottabad Deputy Commissioner Hamidullah Khan and Assistant Commissioner Afrasyab Zubair Hindal. District Director Agriculture Altaf-ur-Rehman briefed the delegation on the department’s performance, ongoing initiatives and agricultural services.
During the visit, Shah Rukh Ali Khan inspected various sections of the facilities, including the soil-testing laboratory, storage areas, agricultural machinery and seed preparation processes. He also interacted with staff to review the institutions’ performance and operational activities.
Emphasising the importance of agriculture to Pakistan’s economy, the commissioner called for greater use of modern research, technology and successful agricultural practices to improve productivity and support farmers.
He directed officials to ensure that small-scale farmers have access to quality seeds, effective agricultural pesticides and modern farming facilities. Such measures, he said, should help increase crop yields, improve farmers’ incomes and enable them to gain greater economic benefits from agricultural activities.
Focus on Olive Cultivation and Horticulture
The commissioner also instructed officials to take effective measures to promote wild olive grafting in Abbottabad and expand olive cultivation. He stressed the need to provide machinery required for olive oil production and strengthen initiatives for growing fruit trees, vegetables and other crops.
He further emphasised that modern agricultural techniques and facilities should benefit ordinary farmers, allowing them to improve production methods and make better use of available resources.
Expanding olive cultivation and improving fruit and vegetable production could also support agricultural diversification and create opportunities for greater value addition in the region.
According to the information provided, the Abbottabad district administration is continuing efforts to improve agricultural services, promote modern farming facilities and provide quality support to farmers in line with the directions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and the Hazara division commissioner.
