District Director Agriculture Upper Dir

INTRODUCTION

District Dir Upper is one of the 26^th Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.    At the time of independence, Dir was a significant state ruled by Nawab Shah Jehan Khan. It was merged with Pakistan in 1969 and later on declared as a District in 1970. In 1996, it was bifurcated into Upper and Lower Dir districts under the administrative control of Malakand Division.

This District is situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. It borders joins with Chitral District and Afghanistan on the North and North-West and Swat District to the East, and on the South by Lower Dir. Due to non-availability of funds to provide proper accommodation at Dir Town by Government Departments at a District headquarters, both districts continued to be administered by a single Deputy Commissioner stationed at Timergara in Lower Dir till 2000.

Except for Dir and a number of rapidly growing bazaars along the main roads, the population is rural, scattered in more than 1200 villages in the deep narrow valleys of the Panjkora and its Tributaries. Dir Upper has the only one University situated at Sharingal named “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University with number of disciplines.

Administration

1. Deputy Commissioner
2. District Nazim
3. District Officer (Finance & Planning)
4. No of Sub-division            =          03
5. No of Tehsils                        =          04
6. No of Union Councils             =          28

Notable Bazaars

1. Dir Proper
2. Barawal
3. Sharingal
4. Babyor
5. Darorra
6. Ganori
7. Shalkani
8. Warai

Popular Valleys

• Kumrat Valley
• Usherai Dara
• Shahi Koto
• Nehag Dara
• Barawal Dara
• Ganori

Geographical Location / Statistical Data

1. Total Area:     3699 Sq; Km (126500) hec
2. Population:      575858 Persons (1998)          
3. Population Density:

 Persons per Sq; km                             =          156

Persons per ha                                    =          05       

4. Altitude                                         =          4150 feet
5. Average Rain Fall                           =          1200 – 1500 mm

Agriculture & Economy:

Agriculture is the major domain of human activities in the District, beside daily wages, trade and working overseas are also the main occupations of the people. Due to lack of employment opportunities, large number of people is either employed in private institutions or unemployed. A very small portion of population is employed in Government Departments. The women usually share the work with their men. They work side by side with men in the Agriculture Sector in addition to their household duties.

The women are the real target group of farming in Agriculture. The major crops grown are Wheat, Maize, Onion and Potato. Walnut and persimmon are main fruit trees found everywhere in Dir upper as part of main farming system.

Agriculture Department at District level is headed by District Director Agriculture (BPS-19), supported by one Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (BPS-18). There is one Agriculture Officer who is posted at Warai circle and are supported by four Field assistant (BPS-9) working in different circles, Warai, Palam, Patrak and Dir proper.

Before formation of District, the whole area was supervised by one Agriculture Officer posted at Dir proper.

The mandate of Agriculture Department in Dir Upper is

• To enhance Agriculture Productivity on sustainable basis through introducing Best Agriculture practices (BAP).
• To promote Agriculture activities in the area through improved Agronomic demonstrations and transfer of popular Agril; Technology.
• To enhance self sufficiency in food and farmer’s income through value addition etc.

Land use statistics:

Total Reported Area                      =          126500 ha  

Cultivated Area                               =          41134 ha                    (33 %)

Un-cultivated Area                                    =          85366 ha                    (77 %)

Irrigated Area                                  =          22391 ha                    (54 %)

Un-Irrigated Area                           =          18745 ha                    (46 %)

Culturable waste Land                =            6177 ha                    (05 %)

Forest Area                                      =          84332 ha                    (67%)

Major crops:

1. Wheat                                   20538   hec                          50 % 
2. Maize                         6212   hec                15 %
3. Paddy                         4568   hec                11 %
4. Fruits                         2210   hec                05 %
5. Potato             2015   hec               05 %
6. Rape                                    2000   hec              05 %
7. Onion              1735   hec               04 %
8. Barley                          1500   hec               04 %
9. Vegetables                            550   hec                01 %

MFSC Activities during FY 2015-16:

Model Farm Service Center is farmer’s Organization under Private-public partnership which is providing integrated service delivery under one window operation at door step of farming communities. During FY 2015-16, the center has achieved the following activities.

• Farmers registration enhanced up to = 7977 no
• Total DAP distributed                          = 677 bags
• Total Urea distributed                                     = 1781 bags
• Total MFSC (MC) meeting held              = 08 no
• Total Revolving Fund = Rs: 11713764/-
• Income Realized from inputs sale             = Rs: 717281/-
• Income Realized from Agri: Machinery = Rs: 1430389/-
• Income Realized from other sources = Rs: 99894/-
• Tractors FIAT -640 and 480 with implements = 04 nos

Impact: 1. MFSC become center for integrated service delivery in the area.

2. Market price was balanced.
3. Supply of quality inputs ensured.

WATER BODIES

The Main River is river Panjkora originated from Snow Mountains situated in the North-East of the vallies of Dir. The river Pankora from origination point up to chukyatan is called River Kohistan. And after that the river is called River Pankora fall in to River swat in Malakand Agency.

 (A).    KOHISTAN RIVER:

It originates from the snow stock/ glacier in the East North of Snow mountain of Dir Upper to fall in the River Panjkora at chukyatan. Total length of the Kohistan River is 103 Kilometer. The River KohistanRecive various tributaries from thall to Chukyatn with the following.

(i).        River is divided into Trout and Non Trout Areas. i.e.

(a).       Trout Area starts from Kumrat to Sheringal which is 68 Kilometer.

(b).       Non Trout area from Sheringal to Chukyatan which is 35 Kilometer.

1. RIVER PANJKORA:

The River Panjkora from chukyatan up to khagram with about length of 50 Kilometer. The River Panjkora Made / Receive from various streams i.e.

(i).        LOWARI STREAM:

Lowari stream with length of 22 Km, originated from the Snow glacier of lowari and falls into Panjkora River at Chukyatan. Lowari Stream is also divided into Trout and Non Trout Area.

            (a).       The Upper area of Lowari Stream which starts from Qulandi to Lowari is                           feasible for Trout Forming.           

(b).       The Lower area from which is starts from Chukyatan to Qulandai Payen is Non trout.

(II).       BARAWAL STREAM:

Barawal Stream with length of 35 Km, starts from Shahikot / Benshahi and falls in to River Panjkora at Chukyatan. Barawal Stream is also divided into Trout and Non Trout Area.

(a).       The Upper reaches of Barawal Stream / tributaries i.e. Ganorai stream (Attan      Darra) and Darikdan Khawar are feasible for Trout Farming.    

            (b).       The Lower area of Barawal Stream is Non Trout.

(III).      USHERAI STREAM:

Usherai Stream with a length of 40 Km, starts from Saidgai Lake and falls in to River Panjkora at Darora. Usherai Stream is also divided into Trout and Non Trout Area.

(a).       The Upper area of Usherai Stream which is starts from Palam to Saidgai Lake and its tributaries are feasible for Trout Farming.   

(b).       The Lower area of Usherai Stream, starts from Samkot to Darora is not feasible for Trout farming.

Fish fauna of Schizothorix, Louches, and other local fish are also available in the stream.

STAFF POSITOIN FOR JULY 2016 IN RESPECT OF DDA DIR UPPER

Summary:

Total sanctioned Post          = 23

Filled posts                           = 18

Vacant post                         = 5