Pothowar Region Set for Agricultural Revolution.Iftikhar Ali Sahoo

Rawalpindi : Potowar region is highly suitable for cultivation of high value crops. An Agriculture Transformation Plan will be prepared for the development of Agriculture in Potowar region. These views were expressed by Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo while presiding over the high level meeting in Rawalpindi. He further said that Agricultural development in Potowar region requires joint efforts between the Department of Agriculture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Agency for Barani Area Development, and the Irrigation Department. Secretary Agriculture, Punjab further said that Potowar region has vast potential for the production of various fruits, vegetables and flowers. In this region, there is a need for research work regarding the production of crops as well as the production of products. Secretary Agriculture Punjab further added that olives and groundnuts are very important crops of this region and the production and value of new varieties of these crops. The research work on the edition should be speeded up. On this occasion, the Secretary Agriculture Punjab directed to prepare a Agriculture Transformation Plan for the Potowar region and formed a committee for its preparation, whose focal person at the provincial level will be the Director General of Agriculture Extension and the Director Extension Rawalpindi at the divisional level. He issued instructions to present the Agricultural Transformation Plan within a month. Secretary Agriculture Punjab further said that progressive farmers will also be involved to finalize implement the Agriculture Transformation Plan in Pothwar region. On this occasion, Director General Agriculture Extension Punjab suggested that an integrated strategy should be made for the utilization of small dams. On this occasion, Director General, water Management, Punjab Malik Muhammad Akram said that on farm water management has played an important role in increasing modern irrigation system and water resources in Pothwar region. He further said that 0.15 million acres of area can be irrigated in this region through small dams while 1.68 million area can be irrigated with Jalalpur Irrigation Scheme. On this occasion, Director Agriculture Extension Rawalpindi Division Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari said that groundnut production competitions should be organized to promote the cultivation and yield of groundnut .The meeting was attended by Director Agriculture Extension Rawalpindi Division Syed Iftikhar Bukhari, Director On farm Management Rawalpindi Division, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, Director Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Ghulam Rabbani, Director Centre for Olive Research and Training , Chakwal and Deputy Directors were present while Director General Agriculture Extension Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Director General Water Management, Punjab Malik Muhammad Akram, Chief Scientist AARI, Faisalabad Dr. Sajidur Rehman and Director General Crop Reporting Dr. Abdul Qayyum participated through video link.