Azad Kashmir Launches Olive Oil & Mushroom Production Projects with Turkish Support
TIKA Pledges Continued Support for Agricultural Growth in Azad Kashmir, Including Fly Farming
Muzaffarabad: The Agriculture Department of Azad Kashmir has marked a significant milestone in modern agricultural technology with the inauguration of two groundbreaking projects aimed at enhancing the region’s agricultural capabilities. The Olive Oil Extraction Unit and a laboratory to promote Mushroom Production were both launched in a ceremony held at the Agriculture Complex in Gojra.
The projects, valued at 40 million rupees, have been implemented with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). The Olive Oil Extraction Unit, installed at a cost of over 22 million rupees, is expected to revolutionize the olive farming sector in the region. Meanwhile, the mushroom production laboratory, costing 18 million rupees, aims to boost the cultivation of mushrooms in Azad Kashmir.
Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, and Water Resources, Sardar Mir Akbar Khan, along with the head of the Turkish delegation, Dosan Ali Yeskan, officially inaugurated the projects. The ceremony was attended by senior officials including Secretary Planning and Development Aamir Latif Awan, Secretary Agriculture Imtiaz Ahmed, TIKA Pakistan Desk In-charge Ovia Tutunso Govin, and others.
In his address, Minister Sardar Mir Akbar Khan expressed gratitude to Turkey for its continued technical support to Azad Kashmir, especially in the agriculture sector. He highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the two nations, citing Turkey’s assistance during the 2005 earthquake in rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. The Minister also thanked Turkey for its role in completing several major projects in the region, including the District Headquarters Complex of Muzaffarabad and the grand mosque near the Prime Minister’s House.
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan expressed optimism about future collaborations with TIKA, especially in furthering agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of these new projects in enhancing local agricultural production and value addition, which will ultimately benefit landowners and farmers across the region.
Dosan Ali Yeskan, Head of South Asia for TIKA, highlighted the agency’s commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives in Azad Kashmir. He noted that these projects will directly benefit local farmers, and the Turkish agency is dedicated to continuing its support in the future, particularly in areas such as fly farming, as requested by the Agriculture Minister.
During the event, various officials gave briefings on the technical aspects of the projects. Administrator Agriculture Extension, Ms. Amna Rafi, provided insights into the Olive Oil Extraction Unit, while Administrator Agriculture Research, Zafar Jahangir, and Deputy Nazim Abdul Hafeez Mughal detailed the mushroom production laboratory’s objectives and expected outcomes.
The launch of these two innovative projects is poised to play a pivotal role in modernizing agriculture in Azad Kashmir, opening new opportunities for local farmers, and strengthening economic ties between Azad Kashmir and Turkey.
