Agriculture, livestock to be promoted in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture, Livestock & Dairy Development Mir Israrullah Zehri has assured that agriculture and livestock will be promoted on priority basis in Balochistan to capitalise on the natural potentials of that province. Agriculture and Livestock will be promoted in the province. Assistance from Soil Survey of Pakistan to determine land suitability for different crops will help greatly. Issues of Vinder Palm Oil Farm will be resolved soon. The minister said this while meeting Speaker Baluchistan Assembly, Muhammad Aslam Bhotani here at Islamabad. I have already directed Soil Survey of Pakistan (SSP) to share their valuable data with the provincial agriculture extension department of the province so that the land suitability is exploited to its maximum potential. Balochistan has huge potential for livestock and dairy development and we are trying to strengthen this sector as well. The depleting water resources are also a big challenge and modern irrigation practices would greatly help to overcome this issue, said the minister. Muhammad Aslam Bhotani apprised the minister on the issues regarding the agriculture sector of the province, especially Vinder Palm Oil Project. Mir Israrullah Zehri assured that issues of Vinder Palm Oil Project will be resolved on priority basis. He added that agriculture and livestock is the only means of livelihood of the majority of the people in Balochistan, the ministry will do its maximum to launch productive and sustainable agricultural programmes in the province. I would take up the issue of funds releases to Vinder Palm Oil Project with the concerned quarters and try to resolve it in the near future. Non-payment of salaries to the project employees is really a serious issue and I will direct the related authority to do the needful this regard, added the minister. Devolution of ministry of livestock is in the greater national interest. Establishment of a National Animals Conservation Farm & Radio Livestock would prove to be beneficial for livestock and dairy development sector, the minister said after taking a briefing by secretary livestock Khwaja Sadiq Akbar.