It is indeed a great honor and privilege for me to share a few words on the vital importance of the agriculture sector in the socio-economic development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Agriculture sector employing about 40% of the provincial labour force and contributing over 20% to the provincial GDP, remains one of the key drivers of economic growth. It also offers tremendous opportunities for diversification into areas where our province enjoys distinct climatic and resource-based advantages.

The primary role of the Agriculture Department is to ensure food security, poverty alleviation and employment generation through achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in this vital sector. We are fully committed to realizing our future vision by meeting the challenges of the 21^st century and developing a vibrant, resilient, and market-oriented agriculture sector that promotes value addition and enhances access to international market.

The Department of Agriculture comprises several specialized line departments, including Agriculture Extension, Agriculture Research, On-Farm Water Management, Soil Conservation, Agricultural Engineering and Crop Reporting Services. They play a critical role in ensuring effective service delivery at the farmers doorstep and in providing comprehensive support for the overall growth and promotion of the agriculture sector in the province.

 - See more at: http://agriculture.kp.gov.pk/page/secretary_message/page_type/message#sthash.KzqEOXEA.dpuf