By Ayesha Saba

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has spent Rs127.533 million during the current fiscal year on the ADB-funded Food Security Support Project to promote climate-smart agriculture and strengthen institutional capacity in the flood-affected districts, reports Wealth Pakistan.

According to a document, the project, scheduled to be completed on June 30, 2028, is being implemented by the Agriculture Department.

The project carries a total commitment of $79 million, of which $15.10 million (19%) has been disbursed, while $64.30 million (81%) remains undisbursed. Data further shows that the local share stands at Rs1.427 billion, while the foreign cost amounts to Rs23.698 billion.

The project has recorded a cumulative expenditure of Rs948.268 million, while the allocation for the fiscal year 2025-26 stands at Rs6.802 billion.

Under the project, climate-smart and resilient agricultural practices are being promoted through the provision of fertilizers and seed, including wheat, rice, and DAP on a 50 percent cost-sharing basis, along with farmers’ training on the safe and efficient use of fertilizer and climate-adaptive seeds.

The programme also provides vegetable packages and offers training for female farmers in kitchen gardening, food processing, and preservation, with around 53,000 female farmers expected to be trained.

The project further focuses on strengthening institutional capacity and disaster preparedness through the development of a unified digital database of farmers in non-project districts and the establishment of an e-subsidy system.

Additional components include strengthening the seed industry in the province through the establishment of a speed breeding facility and the introduction of an ICT-based pest surveillance system for plant protection, along with support for project management and operational activities.

The document further states that PC-I revision is in progress, while the pending No Objection Letters (NOLs) from the Asian Development Bank are awaited. The revised technical and budget evaluation reports for DAP fertilizer procurement have been submitted to the ADB, while the revised proposals for individual consultants and the IT firm have also been shared.

Wheat seed procurement is expected to be re-advertised, while the ADB’s response on CSO-1 is awaited regarding either issuance of NOL or reopening of the process. The proposal for the speed breeding facility is currently under review by the Chief Agriculture Department for comments.

Officials believe that the project will enhance food security, strengthen agricultural resilience against climate shocks, and improve farmers’ productivity in flood-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, contributing to sustainable agricultural growth and improved rural livelihoods.

Credit: INP-WealthPk