ISLAMABAD (INP): Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Agriculture, Livestock & Cooperation for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Wednesday signed Record of Discussion (RoD) in a ceremony held at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) for capacity development of Agriculture Extension Services in KP.

Federal government has approved the project “Capacity Development of Agriculture Extension Services in KP” with the financial assistance from JICA at a total cost of Rs.120.878 million including Rs.117.478 million as JICA grant. Under this project 100 Agriculture Officers and 250 Field Assistants will be trained at NARC in different areas of agriculture to strengthening agricultural extension services in the KP in order to perform their role effectively in improving farm productivity, employment generation, mitigating environmental degradation, and uplifting socio-economic conditions of the rural masses of the province.

Dr. Munir Ahmad, Acting Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in his closing remarks said that effective and efficient extension services play a pivotal role in boosting agriculture for uplifting of socio-economic conditions of farmers. He said the need for food security in KP requires continuing education of extension workers who work with farmers in rural settings. He emphasized that the technology developed in one province should be share with other provinces and also stressed the need of feed-back. He appreciated the role of JICA for the development of agriculture in Pakistan.

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Director General, National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in his opening remarks said that PARC acknowledges the role of JICA for promotion of agriculture in Pakistan. He said at NARC there are more than 350 scientists in all disciplines of agriculture, well equipped laboratories facilities and ample field space to conduct varieties of well conceived meticulous experiments to find environment friendly and economically viable solutions to different problems of the farming communities of Pakistan. He added that PARC has developed various applicable technologies which are to be disseminated for improvement of agricultural production and socio-economic prosperity of farmers as well as to ensure food security in the region. He also highlighted PARC commercial technologies and value added products. He also said we are closely supporting, implementing and monitoring this project.

Chief Representative JICA Pakistan Office Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki highlighted the history of cooperation in agriculture between Japan and Pakistan. He assured full support from JICA for the improvement of agriculture for poverty reduction in the region.

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