MOHMAND – Agricultural machinery worth crores of rupees has reportedly remained largely unused at the Upper Mohmand Farm Service Centre in Ekkaghund for an extended period, prompting local farmers to question the utilisation and maintenance of public assets.
The machinery was procured to provide modern farming facilities to growers and improve agricultural productivity in the district. However, farmers said much of the equipment had remained at the service centre, with some machinery reportedly showing signs of rust because of prolonged inactivity and inadequate maintenance.
Farmers from Danish Kool, Tamanzai, Dweizai, Halimzai, Khwaizai, Baizai and Safi said locating the machinery at a single centre had made access difficult for many growers.
They said agricultural fields were spread over a large area, with several villages located dozens of kilometres from the facility, making it difficult for farmers to obtain the equipment when needed.
“The purpose of providing the machinery was to facilitate farmers in the field, but keeping it idle at the centre defeats that purpose,” the farmers said, calling for a transparent and practical mechanism for its allocation and operation.
They said proper deployment and maintenance of the equipment could help reduce farming costs, ensure timely agricultural operations and improve crop yields.
Mohmand has three farm service centres, located in Ekkaghund, Prang Ghar and Ambar. However, growers in Upper Mohmand said the machinery available at the Ekkaghund facility was not being utilised according to local agricultural requirements.
They urged the Agriculture Department to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the machinery to determine its operational condition, utilisation and maintenance needs. They also called for a proper schedule for making the equipment available in different farming areas during peak agricultural seasons.
Farmers Qasim Khan, Amir Khan, Rawish Gul, Shah Zam Khan and Ajmal, among others, appealed to the Secretary Agriculture, Deputy Commissioner Mohmand and the provincial government to intervene and ensure that the machinery was put to productive use.
They said effective management, regular maintenance and transparent access to the equipment would help safeguard public investment while providing much-needed support to the farming community and strengthening the district’s agricultural economy.
