Governor of Balochistan Highlights Agricultural Reforms and Challenges at Consultation Session

Quetta:The Governor of Balochistan, Jaafar Khan Mandokhel, addressed participants at an agricultural consultation session in a local hotel in Quetta, emphasizing the vast potential of the province’s agriculture and livestock sectors, which are currently facing stagnation. He attributed this stagnation to the lack of a comprehensive agricultural strategy and a failure to adopt modern farming techniques.

Governor Mandokhel pointed out that farmers in Balochistan remain largely unfamiliar with modern agricultural practices, and the input from agricultural experts has also been insufficient. He commended the efforts of Professor Dr. Abdul Malik Tareen, Vice Chancellor of Lasbela University, and his team for their contributions to the promotion of agricultural trade.

The session, organized by Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS), was attended by various stakeholders, including university vice chancellors, industrialists, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

In his speech, the Governor highlighted the urgency of addressing the food security needs of Pakistan, especially considering the country’s growing population, which is expected to make Pakistan the world’s third most populous country by 2050. He stressed the need for strategic planning and innovation in agriculture to ensure food sustainability. Mandokhel lamented the fact that Pakistan still relies on foreign imports for high-quality seeds and called for revolutionary steps in both agriculture and livestock sectors to meet the future demands.

The Governor also discussed the province’s potential in livestock production, noting that regions like Musa Khel and Zhob have abundant monsoon rainfall that should be utilized effectively. He suggested that modern science and technology could convert barren lands into arable ones, boosting both the quality and quantity of agricultural outputs. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with bioengineering experts to enhance agricultural research.

Governor Mandokhel further stated that Balochistan, with its 44% share of Pakistan’s total agricultural land, has the capacity to lead the country’s agricultural development. He called for awareness programs on drip irrigation systems for farmers and stressed the potential of water-efficient crops like olive trees, which could be cultivated from Zhob to Khuzdar.

Concluding his address, Governor Mandokhel emphasized that the future of the economy depends on agricultural growth, especially in light of the global population increase. He called for the development of agricultural research to meet domestic food needs and position Pakistan as a key exporter in the region.

At the end of the session, Governor Mandokhel presented commemorative shields to the organizers and experts in recognition of their efforts.