In a positive betterment for farmers in South Waziristan, the establishment of an agricultural park by the Pakistan Army has eased the challenges faced by pine nuts cultivators.
According to reports, the cultivation of pine nuts, a special natural gift during the dry winter season, is a significant boon for South Waziristan.
Pine nuts, rich in food nutrients, is a precious gift of nature for the region. Pakistan stands as the world’s fifth-largest producer of pine nuts, contributing an annual export worth Rs23 to Rs25 billion, with half of it originating from South Waziristan, amounting to Rs8 to Rs10 billion annually.
Most of the pine nuts groves in South Waziristan are found in the regions of Badar, Shawal, Khajori, and Angoor Adda, stretching beyond the border into Bermal and Laman areas.
Despite being globally renowned, pine nuts cultivation in South Waziristan has long been plagued by the lack of facilities and the persistent insecurity stemming from neighbouring Afghan lands, causing distress to local farmers.
Addressing the concerns of farmers, the Pakistan Army, through an investment of Rs850 million, has implemented the establishment of a modernized agricultural park with state-of-the-art facilities, including a new pine nut processing plant and storage facilities.
The purpose of this agricultural park is to secure the production and varieties of crops for Waziristan’s farmers.
