STAR SECTOR 2: AGRICULTURE
Agriculture remains the lifeline of the people of FATA, which was practiced at the subsistence level until the recent past. However, with the introduction of modern farming techniques and agricultural technology innovations, it is now becoming the major economic driver. Your time to be a part of this turnaround comes now!
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In line with the modern trends, we are moving from the traditional approach of only meeting our staple food needs towards expanding the agriculture production of FATA at a much wider geographic scale. This includes marketing of FATA based cash and food crops within Pakistan as well as abroad. For investors, traders and distributors, these are happening times to be a part of this agricultural boom!
With an ever increasing population and opening of allied economic sectors, the need to bring innovation and productivity to the tried and tested practices of old-style agriculture is imminent. The climatic favorability, manpower adeptness and ecological balance associated with the region carry a lot of potential for agriculture development. In order to diversify and modernize the green sector, FATA Secretariat has launched its ten year agriculture development plan, the Agriculture Policy for FATA (2014-2024).
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Director Agriculture FATA
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FATA AGRICULTURE POLICY (2014-2024) Introducing technical support measures for fruit and vegetable processing projects in FATA Offering duty-free and tax-free import of machinery which is manufactured internationally Providing access to State Bank's long-term financing (LTF) facility Giving a holiday break to agriculture producers across a 5-years term Setting up Farm Services Centers for developing capacities of local farmers and peasants Prioritizing the production of vegetables and fruits with high demand and better price
LAND USE STATISTICS OF FATA FOR THE YEAR 2012-13 Agency / Frontier Region
Total Reported Area
Total Cultivated Area
Cropped Area
Uncultivated Area
Mohmand
229620
22524
26670
207096
Khyber
257676
20479
19575
237197
Kurram
338052
22962
15417
315090 136291
Orakzai
153761
17470
9450
Bajaur
129035
75480
68258
53555
North Waziristan
470696
17335
16170
453361
South Waziristan
662000
19450
21956
642550
Frontier Region Peshawar
26100
5220
6710
20880
Frontier Region Kohat
44600
4347
3229
40253
Frontier Region Bannu
87700
14285
9015
73415
Frontier Region Dera Ismail Khan
322824
7610
9110
315214
Total
2722064
227162
205560
2494902
Source: Directorate of Agriculture FATA
The policy vision is to enhance the productivity of the agriculture and allied sectors as a major contributor towards economic growth and investment creation. The policy has backed a change of focus from simply increasing production to a more business oriented approach. The Directorate of Agriculture FATA is developing a sector plan to attract public and private sector investments in projects which can harvest more economic returns and better market prospects. GROWTH RATE OF FATA AGRICULTURE SECTOR BETWEEN 2006-07 AND 2011-12 Details
2006-07
2011-12
Total reported area (in hectare)
2722042
2722042
Percentage Increase 0%
Total cultivated area (in hectare)
198748
220901
11.15%
Total irrigated area (in hectare)
79884
85605
7.1%
Area under fruit orchards (in hectare)
7666
8253
7.6%
Area under vegetable farms (in hectare)
5857
8153
40% Source: Directorate of Agriculture FATA
FATA has an area of 2.7 million hectares out of which only 8.3 per cent has so far been developed for cultivation. This statistic alone demonstrates the considerable gap between the existing potential and what has been realized so far. The same is reflected in the baseline data provided by the FATA Secretariat which recognizes a huge gap between the current agriculture productivity and its potential. For potential investors, opportunities exist in carrying the shift from subsistence agriculture towards market oriented production, especially for high-value crops. Prospects are also there to access markets in Afghanistan, Middle East and Central Asia. AGENCIES WITH HIGH POTENTIAL CROPS
The Directorate of Agriculture FATA is creating opportunities through knowledge sharing on modern farming practices, capacity building of farmers in using agriculture production technology, distribution of quality inputs that fetch high yield, advisory services for pest control, reclamation of waste lands to increase agriculture production, organizing farmers' working groups to seek collective solutions and coordination with other line departments for better working synergies. The concept of entrepreneurship is being introduced through public-private arrangements for these opportunities. AREAS IRRIGATED BY VARIOUS SOURCES OF IRRIGATION IN FATA DURING 2012-13 Agency / Frontier Region
Total Irrigated
Canals
Tanks
Mohmand
9770
4800
-
Khyber
11041
8510
-
Kurram
11806
11108
-
Orakzai
2500
2000
Bajaur
13890
3330
Tube Wells
Dug Wells
Lift Pumps
Others
1730
1110
1260
870
1850
200
400
81
275
73
-
350
-
400
-
-
-
-
400
-
-
-
North Waziristan
14850
8120
-
1510
2700
1020
1500
South Waziristan
6575
2850
100
1300
100
100
1225
Frontier Region Peshawar
1985
-
-
1525
150
240
70
Frontier Region Kohat
1500
-
-
900
300
200
100 330
Frontier Region Bannu
3420
2000
-
120
700
270
Frontier Region Dera Ismail Khan
3463
2185
78
415
-
510
275
Total
80800
44903
298
16825
6853
5020
6901
Source: Directorate of Agriculture FATA
FROM DIMINISHING PROSPECTS TO PIONEERING OPPORTUNITIES Gul Mohammad from Jamrud area in Khyber Agency represents the new age of agriculture developers in FATA. With a land holding of just 5 acres, Gul did not seem to have the resources to increase the output particularly during the seasonal shifts. One day, a group of people draped in white shirts came while they worked in the field. They displayed some instruments and videos of how tunnel farming techniques are helping thousands of farmers in Pakistan. That was the beginning of what has transformed the traditional farmers of FATA into agricultural entrepreneurs. Commercial prospects have not just seeped to the adjoining areas but they are now marketing their fruits and veggies to big commercial markets in Peshawar and Islamabad. Going a step further, the local farmers association is seeking contacts and channels to market their products for export to Gulf Countries, including Dubai and Sharjah.
Bajaur Tomato, onion, apple, plum, citrus, peach Khyber Tomato, onion, citrus and off-season veggies Kurram Tomato, onion, potato, groundnut, apple, peach, walnut Mohmand Onion, tomato, apricot, dates North Waziristan Tomato, onion, potato, apple, apricot, dates Orakzai Apple, peach, walnut, off-season veggies South Waziristan Tomato, potato, onion, apple, grapes, peach