Agricultural Exhibition in Muzaffarabad

Muzaffarabad ( AJ & K): An agricultural exhibition was organized here under the auspices of the department of agriculture, Muzaffarabad.

The stalls of locally produced fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products were set up by local farmers and various units of the agriculture department. 

The landowners were given awareness and demonstration about agricultural farming, agro-medicines, and machinery.

Director of agriculture Khawaja Masood Iqbal gave a briefing to Minister of Agriculture Sardar Mir Akbar Khan about locally produced olive products. The minister of agriculture praised the efforts of the departments and said that connecting with the land is the need of the time.

He further said that agriculture is the biggest sector affecting the national economy, and if our needs are met at the local level, peoples’ economic condition will improve and the revenue of the state will also increase.

Director Research Khawaja Masood Iqbal,, Muzaffarabad

“We can complete the production of vegetables and meat at the local level, and in this regard, the department of agriculture will continue its efforts”. He said that women have an important role in kitchen gardening.

Speaking at the event, Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Sardar Javed Ayub said that Azad Kashmir is the watershed of the entire country and we are trying to make the Azad region a food basket for Pakistan.

Our mission is that every region should be able to meet the local demand. He congratulated the organizers for organizing the exhibition. The agriculture minister also gave shields to those who won prominent positions in the stalls. The farmers of Muzaffarabad, Jhelum Valley, and Neelam district had prepared stalls of fresh crops, fruits, and vegetables.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture Sardar Mir Akbar Khan. While the secretary of agriculture Sardar Javed Ayub, Islamic Relief Representative Zeeshan Maqbool, Vice President National Bank of Pakistan Naheed Yusuf, Director Agriculture Sardar Zareen Khan, and others also addressed the opening ceremony.

Director General Agriculture Tariq Mehmood Bande and Director General ASMA Raja Gulzar also addressed the opening ceremony.

Director Research Khawaja Masood Iqbal, Deputy Director Agriculture Muzaffarabad Amina Rafi, and others were also present on this occasion.

AJK & GB agriculture officials agree to enhance cooperation

Muzaffarabad (IoK News): The officials of the agriculture department of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have agreed to enhance cooperation between them to benefit from each others’ expertise in the growth of agriculture sector.

This was announced after a visit of a high level delegation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir agriculture department to Gilgit-Baltistan.

The delegation was comprised of Secretary Agriculture Dr Bashir Butt, Director Research & Technical Services Khawaja Masood Iqbal and other senior officials.

Director Agriculture Dr Fazal ur Rehman welcomed the members of the delegation and briefed them on recent developments of the agriculture department of the region.

Deputy Director Shigar GM Saqib invited the delegation to visit a medicinal plants and floriculture garden.

He informed the members of the delegation that agriculture department of the region was playing an important role in making medicinal plants available to local farmers and offer them a profitable business opportunity.

He further informed the delegation that there was a huge potential of producing herbs and flowers for income generation.

The production and growth of herbs and flowers for medicinal and decorative purposes is highly likely to make a positive impact in the economic development of rural and mountainous communities of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Senior scientific officer PCSIR laboratories (Skardu) Fazal Ullah briefed the members of the delegation on measures to keep fruit and vegetables dry and safe for commercial purposes.

He emphasised on creating awareness among people on developing agri-based businesses.

Senior Scientific Officer of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Skardu Ayub Balgari apprised the members of the delegation about the research and development activities of his organisation in Gilgit-Baltistan region.

He said that four dedicated research centres were fully operational in the region to boost the role of agricultural research and development in GB.

Deputy Director Muhammad Ali discussed the role of modern lab techniques in controlling the diseases in fruit and vegetables.

He particularly mentioned the successes his department has made in eradication of the diseases in various specious of potatoes in the region.

Secretary Agriculture AJ & K Dr. Bashir Butt said that the visit of the AJ & K agriculture department delegation was highly rewarding.

He considered that the visit was very successful as it offered enormous opportunities to increase the cooperation between the agriculture department of both the regions.

He further said that this was a first-ever high-level interaction between the officials to discuss technical and scientific aspects of the agricultural research and development in the region.

The visit will have far-reaching impact on the development and growth of agriculture and agricultural research in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.