Agricultural products put on display at exhibition

PESHAWAR: The farmers, agricultural experts and skilled women from the far-flung areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas displayed hand-made and agricultural products at a day-long exhibition here on Tuesday.

The exhibition reflected the services of the Livelihood Programme Hindukush in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.The machines and equipment used in modern and scientific farming were also put on display.

Farmers, agricultural experts and skilled women from Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan and Mohmand and Bajaur agencies established stalls at the exhibition.

They showcased the products made under new methods and techniques. The exhibition was held in connection with the end of the livelihood programme sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in the underdeveloped areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.

Fayyaz Ahmad, a senior official of the programme, told The News that it was initially launched in Karak and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2008.He said later the programme was extended to Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Mohmand and Bajaur agencies.

He added that more than 50,000 people benefited from the livelihood programme that would conclude by the end of the current year.Ghaffar Ali, a farmer from Lower Dir, said he received basic training under the livelihood programme.

He said he learnt techniques to double the number of his goats and sheep in short span of time. A farmer from Chitral said he produced more potatoes and onions in his small fields by using modern techniques.The officials of the livelihood programme distributed shields and certificates among the participants at the end of the exhibition.