PESHAWAR, NOV 14 (DNA) – – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has started distribution of Rabi packages to 8 000 households, including 410 women-headed households, in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These packages are being distributed under the DFID-supported project, “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Merged District Programme,” where FAO is providing 50-kilograms of certified wheat seeds, 25-kilograms of pea seeds and Rhode grass fodder seeds to each household. Another 1 000 farming families were provided these packages under the project supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The improved climate resilient crops seed packages are provided to support the farming families in restoration of crop production and food security. Through provision of Rabi packages, the farming households will be able to improve their self-sufficiency in quality seeds for cultivation. The beneficiaries were also oriented by the Farmer Field School Facilitators on improved crop management practices, post-harvest handling and disease control.

“Thanks to support from DFID and JICA, FAO is implementing projects in four tribal districts –Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and South Waziristan District – to restore livelihood opportunities while strengthening food and nutrition security.

A total of 74 651 Households are being assisted under both projects to support these households resume agricultural production in a sustainable manner,” said Farrukh Toirov, Deputy FAO Representative in Pakistan.

The project covers a significant range of sustainable development activities by introducing climate smart resilient practices and technologies in return areas, value chain development, water management, Integrated Natural Resource Management as well as climate smart agriculture profiling of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.=DNA