AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, September 26, 2012 (PPI-OT): Sixty four specialists from the Ministries of Agriculture from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sindh, and Balochistan have completed a ten-day course on modern farm business and irrigation methods sponsored by the United States.
The participants will help farmers increase their profits by approaching farming as a business: farmers will be able to identify higher-value crops and access new markets and customers. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) organized this training session to help increase profits through better product quality and water management.
At the completion of the training course in Islamabad, USAID Country Director Jonathan Conly said “By using modern techniques, Pakistani farmers can capture new customers and increase their profits. The United States is committed to helping Pakistan modernize its agriculture sector so that farmers can improve their livelihoods.” After the workshop, Amina Rafi, an agricultural specialist from AJK, added “Farming in mountain areas has always been a challenge. I am glad that this training has provided me with skills to help farmers in AJK improve their businesses.”
Agriculture employs more Pakistanis than any other sector in the country. The United States is helping to modernize this important sector by working with the Pakistani government and businesses to increase agricultural productivity through research and development, introduce international quality standards, renovate irrigation systems, upgrade farming techniques, and increase profits by identifying new markets for agriculture products, both locally and internationally.
For more information, contact:
Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov