PESHAWAR: The federal government has approved a massive project worth Rs137.607 million for uplift of socio-economic condition of farmers and people associated with livestock besides reducing women labour in Fata.
According to sources, the three-year project (2015-2017) would be executed in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies on pilot basis with an assistance of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Fata and Agriculture University Peshawar.
Fata Development Working Party (FDWP) has approved this gigantic project during its meeting held at Fata Secretariat on February 25 last. Focusing on the capacity-building of livestock farmers, collection of baseline data and provision of safe and hygienic milk to consumers in Fata, the project would also concentrate on provision of training opportunities to Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) and integration of agriculture and livestock activities in tribal areas.
Attention would also be paid to identification of ailments in livestock productivity, formation of farmers association and linkages with public and private sector including academia and agriculture institutes besides identification of the value of marketing milk in Fata.
The survey for baseline data collection has been already started on pilot basis in Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies, the sources said, adding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Agriculture University of Peshawar while services of 10 DVM graduates were hired for conducting comprehensive and authentic survey and research work.
