Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced a technology-based facility aimed at improving the accuracy of crop production estimates and assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture. A Geographic Information System Lab has been established at the Directorate General Crop Reporting Services in Peshawar, providing the provincial Agriculture Department with modern tools for agricultural data collection, analysis and reporting. The facility is expected to support more accurate estimates of crop production while helping authorities assess losses resulting from climate change and extreme weather conditions. Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture Mian Muhammad Umar inaugurated the Geographic Information System Lab and inspected various sections of the newly established facility. During the visit, officials briefed him about the objectives of the laboratory, its working mechanism and the use of Geographic Information System technology for crop reporting and agricultural planning. Director General Agriculture Extension Dr. Naveed, Director Soil and Water Conservation Samiullah and other relevant officers were also present at the inauguration. Mian Muhammad Umar said modern technology and scientific methods were necessary for improving the agriculture sector and generating reliable information for decision-making. He said the use of advanced technology could help authorities obtain more accurate agricultural production estimates and assess the effects of climate-related events on crops in a timely manner.
The agriculture advisor also directed authorities to ensure registration of farmers at Farmers Model Farm Services Centres so they could access agricultural services more effectively. He stressed the importance of regular coordination between agriculture officers and farmers and instructed officials to improve the performance, quality and effectiveness of Model Farm Services Centres. The instructions form part of wider efforts to improve the delivery of agricultural services while introducing technology into crop monitoring and reporting. Better coordination between field officers and farmers can provide officials with more information about agricultural conditions across different areas, while technology-based systems can help organise and analyse this information. The Geographic Information System Lab is expected to support this process by providing a structured platform for examining agricultural activity across the province. Through geographic data and scientific analysis, officials can identify crop conditions and production patterns in different locations and use the resulting information for agricultural planning. The initiative also comes at a time when changing weather conditions are creating additional challenges for farmers, making accurate information important for understanding the effects of climate-related events on agricultural production.
Director General Crop Reporting Services Syed Altaf Ahmed Shah gave a detailed briefing on the newly established Geographic Information System Lab and explained its role in improving crop reporting capabilities. According to the briefing, the laboratory was developed within a short period under the Food Security Support Project Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with support from the Asian Development Bank. Geographic Information System technology will allow Crop Reporting Services to improve estimates for major and minor crops as well as fruits and vegetables cultivated across the province. The laboratory has been equipped with modern equipment and staffed by professional personnel to carry out relevant activities through scientific and technology-based methods. The facility is expected to expand the department’s ability to collect, process and analyse geographic information related to agricultural production. This can provide officials with additional data for monitoring crops and preparing production estimates across different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The use of geographic information can also assist authorities in identifying areas affected by adverse weather conditions and assessing the resulting impact on agricultural output. By combining digital tools with trained personnel, the Agriculture Department can improve the way agricultural information is collected and used for provincial planning.
Mian Muhammad Umar said information generated through the Geographic Information System Lab would be useful for provincial planners, policymakers and other relevant authorities. He said reliable and timely agricultural data could support better decision-making and help authorities assess crop production as well as losses associated with changing weather conditions. The provincial government is also focusing on the use of modern technology and research within the Agriculture Department to improve facilities and services available to farmers. The new laboratory provides a technology-supported resource for crop reporting, agricultural analysis and climate impact assessment, allowing officials to work with more detailed information when evaluating agricultural conditions. Its ability to generate geographic data on crops, fruits and vegetables can contribute to production estimates and planning across the province. The facility may also assist authorities in understanding how climate-related events affect different agricultural areas, providing information that can be considered when developing responses and allocating resources. With support from the Food Security Support Project Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Asian Development Bank, the Geographic Information System Lab represents an expansion of technology use within provincial agricultural reporting and provides authorities with another tool for monitoring production and assessing climate-related impacts.
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