PESHAWAR – Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar inaugurated a Geographic Information System (GIS) Lab at the Directorate General of Crop Reporting Services in Peshawar on Thursday and inspected various sections of the newly established facility.
Relevant officials briefed the adviser on the objectives of the lab, its working mechanism and the use of modern geospatial technology in crop reporting and agricultural planning.
Director General Agriculture Extension Dr Naveed, Director Soil and Water Conservation Samiullah and other senior officers were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Umar said the use of modern technology and scientific methods was essential for strengthening the agriculture sector. He said the adoption of advanced technologies would help ensure more accurate estimates of crop production and facilitate timely assessment of agricultural losses caused by climate change and extreme weather events.
The adviser directed that farmers’ registration at Farmers Model Farm Services Centres be ensured to facilitate their access to agricultural services. He stressed the need for regular and effective coordination between agriculture officers and farmers and called for measures to improve the performance, quality and effectiveness of the Model Farm Services Centres.
Director General Crop Reporting Services Syed Altaf Ahmed Shah gave a detailed briefing on the newly established GIS Lab, saying it had been set up within a short period under the Food Security Support Project Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, implemented with the support of the Asian Development Bank.
He said GIS technology would further strengthen the capacity of Crop Reporting Services to estimate the production of major and minor crops, fruits and vegetables cultivated across the province.
The lab is equipped with modern equipment and staffed by professional personnel, he said, adding that the facility would enable the Agriculture Department to perform relevant tasks more efficiently, rapidly and on scientific lines.
Mr Umar said information generated through the GIS Lab would be valuable for provincial planners, policymakers and relevant authorities. Reliable and timely agricultural data, he added, would facilitate better and more result-oriented decision-making.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was giving special attention to modern technology and research in the Agriculture Department to improve facilities for farmers and address the challenges confronting the agriculture sector effectively.
