PESHAWAR: In response to the catastrophic 2022 floods that devastated many areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the USAID’s Economic Recovery and Development Activity (USAID-ERDA) has made contributions to revitalizing agriculture in the flood-hit districts of Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Tank.
The devastating floods wrought havoc upon the province, leaving a profound impact on the region.
A total of 17% of cultivable land in KP was severely damaged. Notably, in Dera Ismail Khan, three out of seven seed farms responsible for 10% of the province’s annual seed production faced serious circumstances, posing a major threat to seed availability and the livelihoods of three hundred farmers.
In response to the floods, USAID-ERDA took swift action, mobilizing expertise and resources to restore agricultural infrastructure and provide required support to the affected farmers.
USAID-ERDA Rehabilitates 488 Acres of Land
The results have been remarkable. USAID-ERDA successfully rehabilitated 488 acres of land and repaired nine flood-hit watercourses with a total length of 3.3km in government seed farms in D.I. Khan. These initiatives enhanced irrigation efficiency and productivity of land.
Moreover, USAID-ERDA rehabilitated eighteen flood-damaged soil and water conservation structures in different villages of district D.I. Khan to protect the land from sliding and erosion and enhance groundwater recharge and rainwater storage for irrigation in a water-scarce area.
The impact is already evident, with paddy cultivated and harvested on thirty-three acres and wheat seed cultivation underway on the remaining 345 acres. This USAID-ERDA’s support will not only restore agriculture but also improve the livelihoods of farmers, providing hope for those who have endured adversity.
USAID-ERDA is also engaged in the rehabilitation of 158 flood-hit watercourses, a major initiative that is likely to be completed by June 2024.
This rehabilitation is vital for ensuring proper water management in the affected areas, which is vital for agriculture and the local ecosystem.
