DIRECTORATE OF OUTREACH PESHAWAR

Introduction

The Directorate of Outreach was established by TIPAN (Transformation and Integration of Provincial Agricultural Network) project in 1987 following the handing over of Agriculture Research System to The University of Agriculture, Peshawar through Handing Over Act 1986 (NWFP Act No. VIII of 1987). Under TIPAN project, the Directorate of Outreach was third major component after Teaching and Research with adequate staff, building and equipments. The aim of outreach was to link Teaching, Research, Extension and other National and International Institutes for the purpose/objective to promote agricultural activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After the termination of TIPAN Project in 1994, Outreach was made part of Agriculture Research System under the administrative control of Vice Chancellor, The University of Agriculture Peshawar. In the year 2005, Handing over Act 1986 was repealed through an act of 2005 (NWFP Act No. XV of 2005) and the Agriculture Research System was again placed at the disposal of Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative. 

Official message from Senior Director Outreach

At this stage, the major role of Outreach is to bridge gap between Agriculture Research, Agriculture Extension, Universities and Farming Community. It works for effective transfer of advance production technology to boost the agricultural productivity and hence reduce poverty of the farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The contacts of this Directorate are not only confined to the researchers and farming communities but it also deals with government and non-government organizations and agencies concerned with agricultural production.

Other important area of concern is the rural household to which little attention has been given so far. The Outreach plays a key role in improving the livelihood of rural farm families especially females in their economic empowerment and up-gradation of living standards.

Functions

Strengthen linkages among Agriculture Research, Extension, Education/Universities, Progressive growers/farmer community and other relevant stakeholders for efficient and regular transfer of production technology to enhance Cereals, fruit and vegetable production per unit area for increasing farmer’s income and alleviation of poverty of the farming communities in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa..

Objectives

The main objectives of the outreach are:

• Identification of Problems (Need Assessment)

• Surveys are conducted in the field of agriculture by meeting with farmers, extension workers and stakeholders to discuss their problems in various agro-ecological zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These surveys provide basis for identification of problems for technology development and its transfer.

• Technology Development

• Based on the need assessment, the major problems are referred to concerned research institute for conducting research on the solution of the problems and development of production technology.

• Technology Transfer

• Technology developed by researchers is transferred to Extension Workers and Progressive Farmers through, Training Courses, Workshops, Seminars, Electronic and Print Media.

• Feedback to Researchers

• Adaptation and implementation of new production technology is monitored and evaluated in the field and problem arising in its adoption are communicated back to research scientists for further improvement in the technology.

• Role of Women

• Outreach develops skill and knowledge of rural women and female extension workers regarding income generating activities/scheme like poultry farming, kitchen gardening, food preservation, mushroom cultivation through training workshops and seminars to improve their socio-economic condition.

• Relation with Research      
  • The mandate of research is the development of improved technology and Directorate of  Outreach interprets packages and passes on this knowledge to the farmers, rural households etc.

Vision / future plan

Based on its successful implementation ushering positive impact on the agricultural productivity, useful dissemination of improved technologies and capacity building interventions through training programs for the farming communities and agriculture development workers, the Directorate of Outreach has the potential to act as mega training institute and technology transfer medium.

It would dispel a new configuration of outreach and extension services propelling through the vehicle of Outreach Directorate.

Agriculture Research has well established network of Research Institutions/Stations throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and these units could be utilized as satellites for outreach activities.

Synergistic alliances with extension department, NGOs and other local organizations were critical in commercialize breakthrough technologies and building the capacity of local institutions to disseminate improved technologies among the rural communities.

Development projects / ADP

Strengthening Outreach Coordinated Activities (SORCA) completed in 2015.

Achievements

Training workshops have a positive impact on motivating farmers of the province to adopt latest and improved crop production technologies. Directorate of Outreach has conducted minimum fifteen (15) training workshops throughout the province every year. These trainings on various aspects of agriculture technologies were imparted to more than 700 farmers, researchers and extension workers each year.

Agriculture Research Institutes/Stations are places where new agriculture technologies are developed by the agriculture scientists of the province. These institutes/stations provide a platform to communicate with the farming community and extension workers of the province for agriculture development. All the training workshops were carried out at these institutes/stations to make strong linkages with its stakeholders to have interaction and share information.

More than Five (5) brochures and pamphlets on various aspects of agriculture are being published and printed. The printed materials are being distributed among research stations, extension workers and farmers for adopting the new improved technology and crop varieties in their fields for increasing crop production.

The mass media plays a major role in dissemination of improved production technology to the farming community. In this regard Radio talks were broadcasted from the Radio Pakistan Peshawar in their agriculture related “Karkeela Programs (Pushto)” for the education/information of the farmers on the improved production technology and in their day to day problems related to agriculture during the year.

Women’s empowerment & development is the most important issue of the present time. Training courses for female at different Agriculture Research Institute/ Stations are being conducted on various aspects to improve their Socio Economic condition and standard of living.

Additional services

• Visits research station and farmer’s field
• Pamphlets writing
• Office work
• Assist Universities students etc.

Public access to government

Most demanded information services (MDIS)

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