ATTOCK: Speakers at an event commemorating World Peanut Day on Thursday highlighted the substantial promise of Pakistan’s cash crop, the peanut, often called the ‘golden kernel.’
They emphasized that this crop possesses significant economic potential, which can bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves when harnessed through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to improve crop yield.
During the 8th Annual National Peanut Festival held in Attock, experts discussed how this agricultural advancement can inject billions of dollars into Pakistan’s economy, marking a noteworthy development.
The festival also featured value-added peanut products, including agricultural implements, olive jams, olive pickles, olive oil, peanut oil, peanut butter, peanut sweets, and peanut milk.
The festival, organized in collaboration with the Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan, served as a platform to showcase the impact of festivals on individual and social identity.
While the current peanut production ranges from 8 to 25 maunds per acre, the Peanut Research Institute Attock has endorsed advanced peanut farming practices that yield up to 50 maunds per acre. Progressive farmers in various regions already achieve impressive yields ranging from 35 to 40 maunds per acre.
Speakers and participants at the festival included former federal secretary and director of the GBTI board, Sardar Hamid Ali Khan, who emphasized the importance of supporting farmers with subsidies, advanced agricultural machinery, and high-quality seeds, as these factors are pivotal in strengthening the nation’s economy.
Malik Fateh Khan, CEO of Ghazi Brotha Taraqeeati Idara (GBTI), expressed gratitude for the organization’s work in underprivileged communities and highlighted their role in community development through social mobilization.
He also pledged to promote local products through women entrepreneurs, contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth.
The festival concluded with certificates distributed to active participants and stallholders by Rao Atif Raza, DC Attock, marking the successful culmination of this year’s National Peanut Festival. —APP
