Gilgit (Staff reporter): Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Khalid Khurshid chaired a meeting with IFAD related to the expansion of the ETI project in Astore, Nagar, and Baltistan.
While addressing the signing ceremony, CM Khalid Khursheed said the G-B government has made a steering committee for land reforms and agricultural development in the region. Special attention is being paid to addressing future food security challenges.
He said 65% of the population of Gilgit-Baltistan depends on agriculture. The government’s agricultural policy will help control poverty and food security issues. Similarly, agricultural lands will be protected and land ownership will be given to people through land reforms. The government’s goal is to make Gilgit-Baltistan an example for other provinces in the agricultural sector
While expressing his hope, he said G-B will be made self-sufficient in the agricultural sector as today ETI projects are being expanded to all districts.
Chief Minister further said an additional amount of Rs. 4 billion per year has been allocated for the agricultural sector. This year will determine the support price of wheat and start the process of purchasing wheat from local farmers.
In the next four years, an agricultural revolution will be brought to Gilgit-Baltistan. Various agricultural efficiency programs will be organized at the school level under the ETI program and the first international agricultural expo will be organized in the province.
