13/09/2025
Today (13 September, 2025) a mega farmer gathering was organized at Hill Fruit Research Sub Station (HFRS), Tret, Murree by the collaboration of agriculture research and extension departments of district Murree under the chairmainship of Sir Shahid Iftikhar Bukharie, Chief Agriculture Officer, Rawalpindi Division Rawalpindi, while Raja Abdullah Ashfaq Sarwar, brother of Raja Osama Ashfaq Sarwar, MNA (NA-61) was guest of honour of this function.
First of all, Raja Abdullah Ashfaq Sarwar, inaugurated the session by cutting a ribbon. Then session started with recitation from Holy Quran and Naat Rasool Karim.
Dr. Zia ul Hassan, Principal Scientist, HFRS narrated the objectives of this session that this day has been specified with Avocado promotion in the country by exploring its nutritional value and economic importance.
1- Raja Abdullah Ashfaq Sarwar, appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders of this function including acdemia, research and extension departments. He further added that their Govt. will continue to patronize the schemes and projects for lifting the agricultural productivity in the vacinity of Murree district.
2- Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukharie, Chief Agricultural Officer, Rawalpindi Division, Rawalpindi thanked Punjab Government for providing 500 million rupees for agricultural transformation plan in Murree.
3- Dr. Nadeem Ahmad director Bari, Direct General (Research), Punjab appreciated the contribution of research department towards high value agriculture by developing promising varieties of blue barries, avocado, pecan nut, Hazel nut, and cherries. He further added that Govt. has allocated substantial budget for research activities in Punjab.
4- Dr Ibrar Ahmad, Director, Horticulture Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad highlighted the need to minimize post harvest losses in fruits and vegetables particularly in avocado.
5-Dr.Shahzad Akhtar Butt, Director of Agriculture Extension (Horticulture), Punjab described in detail how to lay out avocado orchard. He emphasised the need of cultivation of avocado on large scale on commercial basis.
6-Madam Samina Nazeer, CEO of PODA (Pothar Organization for Development Agency) highlighted the need and role of women in Avocado production and it's nutritional value for woman health and growth.
7- Madam Sana Asghar, Senior Scientist, at HFRS elaborated the crop husbandry and dietary value of avocado.
8- Khawajia Mazghar Iqbal, representative from Agri Tourism Develooment Corporation of Pakistan highlighted the need of tagging agriculture with tourism particularly in agro ecological habitat of Murree.
8- Mr. Tariq Mahmood, ATDC highlighted the organic life sustainability in the rural vacinity of Murree by cultivating avocado here.
9- Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, Deputy Director Agriculture Extension, District Murree explained in detail about extension activities conducted so far so far for promotion of avocado cultivation in Murree and it's pheriphery area. He highlighted kissan card subscription scheme, green tractor scheme, and provision of fencing to farmers at subsidized rates to boost the productivity of avocado in Murree.
10- Dr. Sumaira Maqsood from Koshar University, Murree urged the need of pollination by honey bee in all horticultural crops particularly in avocado.
In the end, many avocado farmers shared their experiences with audience and funushed by products were demonstrated to guests. Literature was distributed among participants. More than 300 farmers attended this session.
Session ended with vote of thanks to all participants.
