LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: Punjab Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo visited Rawalpindi to review progress on the Rs7 billion Potohar Agriculture Transformation Plan, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development in the rainfed Potohar region.
The review meeting was attended by Chief of the Barani Area Development Authority (BADA) Muhammad Arif Khan Niazi, Additional Director General of the Soil Conservation Department Dr. Pervez Sikandar, Director Agriculture (Extension) Rawalpindi Division Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, Chief Scientist and Director of the Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Chakwal Dr. Nadeem Ahmed, and Senior Scientist at the Centre of Excellence for Olive Research and Training, Chakwal, Inam-ul-Haq.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said the Potohar Agriculture Transformation Plan would serve as a major milestone in accelerating agricultural development across the region.
He said construction of 400 mini dams is underway under the project, with a government subsidy of Rs1.75 million per unit to improve water storage and irrigation facilities for farmers.
The secretary directed officials to expedite the installation of lift irrigation systems, which are being provided with a 70 percent subsidy, to enhance water availability in rainfed areas.
He also instructed the concerned departments to complete the target of land improvement on 4,500 acres through bulldozer-assisted land development within the stipulated timeframe.
Highlighting crop diversification, Sahoo said that ginger cultivation is being introduced in the Potohar region for the first time, with farmers receiving a subsidy of Rs3.29 million per acre.
He further directed officials to achieve the targets for the distribution of blackberry, fig and grape saplings, while ensuring the timely completion of olive plantation goals under the Potohar Agriculture Transformation Plan.
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