Modern farming, tunnel technology vital to protect agriculture from climate change

ABBOTTABAD, Sep 12 (APP):Modern and environmentally friendly farming practices, including tunnel farming, are essential to protect crops from the adverse effects of climate change and increase agricultural production, speakers said at an awareness event held in Abbottabad.

The event was organized by the Agriculture Extension Department Abbottabad and attended by a large number of agriculture officials, experts and farmers from different parts of the district. The participants were briefed on climate-related challenges facing agriculture, efficient water use, modern cultivation techniques and tunnel farming.

MPA Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had enormous potential for an agricultural revolution, but adequate availability of water was essential for the sector’s development. He said better water availability in Dera Ismail Khan and other parts of the province could significantly boost agricultural production. He also expressed concern over the rapid conversion of agricultural land into housing schemes.

Ghani announced that a special meeting would be held with the provincial minister and secretary for agriculture to discuss the development of the sector, facilities for farmers and protection of agricultural land.

DDAC Chairman and MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon said steps would be taken to establish an Agriculture Engineering office in Abbottabad to provide modern agricultural facilities to farmers at their doorstep. He said efforts would also be made to increase Abbottabad’s share in relevant agricultural projects and promote modern farming technology.

District Director Agriculture Abbottabad Altaf-ur-Rehman said the Agriculture Department would continue providing farmers with guidance on modern farming techniques, climate-resilient agriculture and improved production. He said efforts would be strengthened to ensure that farmers received modern agricultural information and government incentives.