Governor Mandokhail meets FAO head Waleed Mehdi, stresses modern agriculture and livestock

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has said that friendly relations are being maintained with all international organisations, including United Nations agencies, for building infrastructure, public welfare and development of remote areas of the province. He said the positive effects were visible in education, health, agriculture and clean drinking water, among other sectors.

He said this while meeting a delegation led by Waleed Mehdi, head of the Balochistan sub-office of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a United Nations agency. Murad Khan Miakhel, Nasir Jamal Jogezai and Muhammad Sadiq Agha were also present.

The governor said cooperation with international development agencies needed to be expanded further to provide basic facilities and create jobs in remote and backward districts. He said the provincial government and the departments concerned would continue to extend all possible support. The meeting also discussed agricultural development, livestock, horticulture, food security, training of farmers, dealing with the effects of climate change and promotion of development programmes in remote districts.

Need to put agriculture on modern lines

The governor said agriculture, orchards and livestock were of fundamental importance to Balochistan’s economy. He said modern farming technology, better seed, effective irrigation, farming methods suited to climate change and modern training of farmers could raise production considerably. This, he said, could make the province self-sufficient in food and create new jobs and business opportunities for thousands of people. He said farmers must be given access to modern research, digital technology, markets and value-addition facilities for this purpose.

He said small growers, landowners, livestock keepers, women and youth should also be made part of development programmes to strengthen the rural economy. He said that in view of climate change, monsoon rains and water shortage, promoting low-water crops, modern irrigation and environment-friendly farming practices was an important need of the time.

On the occasion, Waleed Mehdi invited the governor to attend as chief guest a programme organised by the Agriculture University of Balochistan for landowners and farmers of 19 districts. The programme aims to raise awareness of public health and to inform farmers about modern farming methods, higher productivity and modern technology. He said agriculture should not be limited to production alone but must be linked to the full value chain, food processing, cold storage, packaging and marketing, so that farmers receive better returns and local economic activity grows.

Photo: Courtesy DG PR Balochistan