NWFP Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Ayub Jan said on Monday that the provincial government has enhanced agriculture budget of the province from Rs 300 million to Rs 700 million to give boost to this vital sector and to enhance agri-production besides construction of two new canals.
He stated this while addressing a public meeting for ANP candidate for PF-20 Charsadda Taimur Khan. He said that economy of the province was in a shabby condition due to the wrong policies of the previous rulers and the problems could be resolved only through bolstering the agri sector.
He said that as part of the government's efforts to reclaim barren land and generate employment, Ouch canal would be re-modelled in the new fiscal year so as to increase its water capacity from 5000 cusecs to 7000 cusecs.
He said that construction work on three small dams, for hydel power, was underway while four new dams would also be constructed. He said that construction of dams would pave the way for setting up of new industries to provide jobs to hundreds of people. Moreover, he said, orchards of apples, grapes, almonds, soybean and canola would be raised to increase fruit and edible oil production in the province.