Locusts affected farmers to be supported in Balochistan
Staff Reporter :
QUETTA: Taraqeen Foundation, a non-governmental organization and agriculture department Balochistan launched a joint project to support farmers affected by locusts attacks. The TF and agriculture department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to support farmers in Balochistan.
Under the project, locusts affected farmers in Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Sohbatpur, Pishin and Killa Saifullah districts of the province would be supported. “We will facilitate the farmers in villages and union councils of Balochistan”, Amjad Rasheed, the Chief Executive of the TF said.
Locusts attacks across Balochistan have severely affected standing crops and orchards in the province. The TF is also implementing a project in four districts of Balochistan with the support of the Japanese aid agency, JICA to facilitate the farmers and growers, Amjad Rasheed mentioned.
Resource mobilization, capacity building and implementation of agriculture projects through meaningful partnerships are the important points in the MoU. “Balochistan needs national and international attention to mitigate the impacts of climate change”, the TF Chief stated, referring to vulnerability of the province to natural disasters.
“My ministry supports farmers in Balochistan”: Zamarak Achakzai
Locusts attacks damaged orchards and standing crops in Kohlu, Pishin and other districts of Balochistan recently. The Balochistan government has also entrusted the provincial agriculture department with the responsibility to coordinate with NGOs and UN agencies to support the farmers and growers. “My ministry’s main aim is to support the farmers affected by locusts invasion”, Zamarak Khan Achakzai, the Balochistan minister for agriculture said. Mr. Achakzai said most of the population in Balochistan was dependent on the agriculture and livestock sectors therefore coordinated efforts need to be made to promote these two sectors.
