'Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieves self-sufficiency in wheat seeds production'

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture Ayub Jan on Friday said that the province has become self-sufficient in production of the seeds of wheat, adding that four to five certified varieties of seed are available and KP would no more remain dependent on supply from other provinces. He said this in a Meet the Press Programme held by Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) here in Peshawar Press Club (PPC).
He said that the provincial government is making all-out efforts for the development of the sector. He said that last year, the provincial government had purchased 6000 tons seed of wheat, of which 1000 tons still remains with the department, which would be either supplied to Balochistan or exported to Afghanistan.
He said that the two hybrid varieties of maize seeds, namely 'Babar' and 'Kiramat', have been produced in the agricultural research centres of the province. Per acre yield of these varieties is 25 maunds and 30 maunds respectively. He said that the province is producing 0.8 million tons maize, which is supplied to the corn oil producing industries of Punjab. Target of production for next season is 1.5 million tons. The minister said that technology is being supplied to the growers of the province as beside the better price it also has industrial base and will help promote agro-based industries in KP. Similarly, he said, the department is also working on planting gardens of dates and is promoting tissue technology.
A project for production of off-season vegetables has also been initiated and started on 50 plots, while a project for olives plantation is in progress, which would help minimise the import bill of edible oils. He said that varieties of seedless citrus fruit are being developed.
The minister said that the government has prepared a strategy for starting work on five hydropower projects. He said that the World Bank (WB) has also committed the provision of soft loan for the projects, which would be completed in a period of three to four years. The projects will generate 300 to 400 mega watts electricity.
Ayub said that the KP government has also planned provision of subsidised electricity to industries on the pattern of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate to attract investment in the industrial sector. He said that the provincial government is also working for promotion of solar energy system to attract investment in the sector. In this connection, he said, the KP government would soon sign a formal agreement with the companies.
He said that for the development of the agriculture and supply of irrigation water, the government sanctioned 500 tube-wells and offered 50 percent subsidy on their installation. Out of the total, 400 tube-wells have already been installed while the remaining 100 will be completed in the current calendar year. For increasing cultivated area, he said, a three-year plan was announced, but later it was extended to four years. Under the plan, he said, more 20,000 acres land would be brought under cultivation. He said that 80 percent of land levelling would be borne by the government.
He said that the provincial government under annual development programme (ADP) has purchased 50 bulldozers and 25 more will be purchased during next financial year. He said that the province, for first time, has become self-sufficient in the production of seed of wheat, adding that the department is providing 4 to 5 certified varieties of seed. He said that hydel power generation is big potential of the province and under the 18th amendment in the constitution the right of the province on its resources has been recognised. He said that the provincial government now could initiate work on hydropower generation on its own. He said before the constitutional amendment, the provinces were allowed to build only up to 50 to 60 mega watt power projects, but now there is no such limitation and they could even go for obtaining of foreign loan for projects.
Ayub expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the fulfilment of the longstanding demands of the people of the province. The renaming of the province and provincial autonomy, he said, were their 60 years old political goals.
He said that the share of the provinces under 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award had been increased and now the provinces are getting more than 56 percent of the federal divisible pool and the remaining go to federal government. The new arrangement, he said, has resulted in bringing maximum increase in financial resources of the province.