Southern – Agribusiness Cluster
The cluster will have a focus on the promotion of niche products relevant to the agro-ecological conditions and to gradually establish certified organic pockets for production of high value produce. The cluster will consist of 11 districts i.e. DI Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Kohat, Karak, Orakzai, Kurram, Tank, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
Intervention Areas
Activities
Dates value chain
– Transformation of dates production, harvesting and processing through introduction of modern technology – pollination, protection of produce, harvesting, dehydration, processing, branding / labelling etc.
– Matching investment with farmers’ organizations and private sector for processing and cold storage / warehousing Quality certification of dates and its products
Offseason & high
value vegetables
– Introduction of improved varieties and new technologies for OS/HV vegetable production.
– Grant support to PFOs in establishment of aggregation centers.
– Introduction of improved packaging.
– Mobilizing private sector investment in vegetable processing i.e chips, paste, ketchup, frozen etc.
– Support to farmers in market access and linkages.
– Capacity building of FOs along the value chain.
Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants
(including Saffron)
– Capacity building of collectors in specie identification, harvest, postharvest management and marketing.
– Establishment of linkages with potential markets/industry.
– Supporting private sector investment in MAP nurseries.
– Support to industry in system improvement, certification and branding.
Promotion of
seedless citrus
– Strengthening germ plasm of seedless (preferably Valentia, Spain or any other origin) citrus in DI Khan – 20,000 disease free and true to type mother plants.
– Nursery persons/farmer organizations strengthened for multiplication of certified fruit plants.
– Capacity building through certified courses for farmers through Academia/Extension Department.
Dairy, meat & small
ruminant
– Establishing FMD free zone.
– Organizing dairy farmers into PFOs.
– Building their capacity in animal hygiene, nutrition, and management.
– Support in establishment of milk collection and sale points.
– Mobilizing SMEs for investment in milk processing, pasteurization, and value addition.
– Breed improvement for milk and meat.
– Support in fattening of animals.
– Capacity building of farmers in raring small ruminants.
– Support in breed improvement in small ruminant.
– Mobilizing private sector in establishment of meat processing and value addition.
– Capacity building of butchers in standardized meat cuts and establishment of meat shops.
– Support in production of improved fodders.
– Market access and linkages.
Mango value chain
– Support in establishment of mango nurseries in DI Khan and adjacent areas.
– Support in establishment of commercial mangoes orchard.
– Support in establishment of local mango processing industry.
– Capacity building and market linkages.
Honey (Jajuba Flavor)
– Capacity building of honeybee keepers in beehives management and bee keeping.
– Support in establishment of honeybee farms.
– Technological innovation.
– Establishment of common facility centers/processing units.
Ground Nut
– Supporting PFOs in introduction of improved varieties.
– Introduction of improved technology in harvest and roasting, processing, capacity building and value addition (salting, peanut butters, packing etc.)