BALOCHISTAN AGRICULTURE                  UNIVERSITY

QUETTA: Terming 2015 the year of growers, livestock farmers and fishermen, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that through developing the sectors of agriculture, livestock and fisheries the backwardness and poverty in the province could be eliminated.

 

“The provincial government would soon organise a convention of experts in Quetta in order to create awareness among the people associated with agriculture, livestock and fisheries, while also inviting progressive farmers from all the districts to the event,” the chief minister said while talking to a delegation of Zamindar Action Committee that called on him here on Tuesday.

 

Baloch said that Balochistan was facing the serious issue of depletion of water table; therefore farmers should be imparted latest scientific training enabling them to grow such crops and fruits requiring less water. He said that a large portion of Balochistan’s population depends on livestock and the government would take concrete steps to provide guidance and support to livestock farmers to increase cattle breeding.

 

The chief minister said, “The government is serious to focus on imparting training to fishermen, ensuring international stranded packing for fish products and seeking a better market for fish.” Through imparting latest training to growers, cattle farmers and fishermen these sectors could be improved that would help reduce poverty and backwardness in the province, he added.

 

“Through adopting modern techniques, the province as well as the country would not only become self-sufficient in fruits, agri commodities and meat but also earn huge foreign exchange through export of these products,” Baloch said. He further said that there were big opportunities for investment in the aforementioned sectors of Balochistan, adding that the private sector should come forward in this connection.

 

The chief minister said that with the cooperation of Australia two projects of cutting wool and qualitative processing and packing would be started in the province. He said that steps were also being taken to revive natural pastures, adding that the federal government had also offered its cooperation for promotion of the said sectors. “Proposals of farmers, cattle breeders and fishermen would also be sought in this regard and better performers among them would also be given awards,” he added.

 

Provincial Ministers Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Sarfaraz Bugti and Member of Provincial Assembly Sardar Dur Muhammad Nasir were also present in the meeting.