LAKKI MARWAT: The representatives of farmers have recently demanded of the authorities to initiate work on the second phase of the Kurrum Tangi dam project and construct small dams to boost agriculture in the backward southern district.
The demand was made at a seminar titled `Grow more wheat` held in the district agriculture office here on Thursday. Assistant Commissioner Umer Bin Riaz attended the seminar as chief guest.
The director of the agriculture department, Abdul Qayyum said that under Prime Minister Agriculture Emergency Programme, the department provided 3,400 bags of certified wheat seed to local farmers at subsidised rates in the current season.
“The wheat growers have so far got over 40,000 bags of fertilisers at subsidised rate while the government will also provide subsidy to them on agro-medicines,” he added.
Umer Bin Riaz said that the district administration was committed to resolving the problems of farmers. He asked the farmers to take advantage of the government`s subsidy incentive and increase the per acre yield of wheat and other crops.
Hameed Khan Meenakhel, a representative of the model farm services centre, stressed the need for close coordination among farmers, district administration, and agriculture department.
“Kurrum Tangi dam is a matter of life and death for the people of southern districts and is worried about the delay in initiating work on its second phase,” said Amir Mohammad Khan, another member of the farm centre.
He said that the construction of small dams would help to use rain and flood water for irrigation purposes that would boost agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, and other relevant sectors.
The farmers said that the construction of dams would also help to make the province self-sufficient in wheat and other agricultural products. They also demanded of the government to give subsidy on electricity tariff for irrigation tubewells.
