The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has proposed 16 new agriculture development projects for the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), focusing on modern farming, water management, climate resilience, and support for young farmers.
The proposed schemes were reviewed during a meeting on the Agriculture Department’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) for FY2026-27, chaired by Adviser to the Chief Minister on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar Kakakhel.
Officials informed the meeting that the new initiatives aim to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The proposed projects include the promotion of modern farming through advanced agricultural machinery, installation of solar-powered tube wells, and the introduction of efficient groundwater management systems.
The government is also planning to promote biological pest control, expand olive cultivation, strengthen virus-free seed potato production, and establish a tissue culture laboratory for Dhakki dates. Feasibility studies for cold chain infrastructure have also been proposed to reduce post-harvest losses and improve agricultural value chains.
A key component of the plan focuses on youth development and human resource capacity. The government intends to introduce interest-free loans for agriculture graduates, scholarships in agricultural sciences, and internship programs aimed at encouraging young people to enter the sector.
The proposed ADP also includes the establishment of a Mountain Agricultural Research Centre in Lower Dir, promotion of temperate horticultural crops, improvement of crop estimation systems, and projects to assess greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Additional initiatives target irrigation improvements, smart irrigation systems, and the development of command areas linked to small dams.
Among the largest proposed interventions is a project to protect vulnerable agricultural land from climate-related damage and soil erosion. Under the plan, 1,150 land stabilization structures would be constructed across the province, including the merged districts, to safeguard farmland from erosion, rainwater runoff, and declining soil fertility.
The government is also planning projects to support women farmers, encourage small agricultural businesses, promote honey production, and expand the cultivation of high-value crops and seasonal vegetables in Tirah Valley. Plans are also under consideration for establishing a Tribal Agricultural Research Centre and improving sustainable water resource management.
Speaking at the meeting, Mian Muhammad Umar Kakakhel said the proposed projects are designed to promote agricultural growth, modern technology adoption, efficient water use, climate adaptation, and farmer welfare. He said the initiatives would help strengthen the rural economy and create new opportunities for agricultural development, particularly in the merged districts.
