FAO and EU support strengthening of Balochistan agriculture market information system

FAO and EU support strengthening of Balochistan agriculture market information system

 

Quetta, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with financial support from the European Union, is working with the Department of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Government of Balochistan, to further strengthen the Balochistan Agriculture Market Information System (BAMIS) under the Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP).

 

The initiative aims to ensure timely, reliable, and quality market information for evidence‑based decision‑making in the agriculture sector.

 

From September 8 to 10, a three‑day training program was held at the FAO office in Quetta on real‑time data collection of horticultural produce prices. The training included practical exercises at the Hazarganji Fruit and Vegetable Market, where participants applied modern methods of price data collection and verification.

 

During the opening session, DG Agriculture Extension Masood Baloch, Special Secretary Agriculture and Cooperatives Muhammad Ayub Bangulzai, and FAO Balochistan Head Waleed Mehdi jointly distributed 28 tablets to nominated officials of the Agriculture Department. The digital devices will enable systematic and timely collection of market price data, strengthening routine monitoring capacity.

 

The training covered procedures for data collection, commodity identification and classification, sampling, quality assurance, and use of platforms such as BAMIS and AgriCollect for planning and decision support. At the conclusion, the Agriculture Department developed an action plan for regular data collection, management, monitoring, and reporting.

 

Speaking at the closing session, FAO’s Waleed Mehdi said strengthening BAMIS is part of FAO’s broader efforts to enhance agricultural information systems and institutional capacity in Balochistan. He emphasized that reliable market information plays a vital role in data‑driven policymaking, disaster risk management, improved extension services, and efficient resource allocation. He added that a stronger market information system will promote transparency, improve linkages in agricultural value chains, and support informed decision‑making for farmers and stakeholders.

 

Additional Secretary Agriculture Muhammad Younas welcomed FAO’s support, noting that timely and credible market information is crucial for effective planning and decision‑making in the agriculture sector. He said the enhanced BAMIS capacity, combined with training and digital tools, will enable the department to collect and report market price data more efficiently.

 

Originally developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the EU‑funded Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, BAMIS is now being institutionalized and expanded with FAO’s technical assistance. Under the RBWRP, the system will be extended to more districts, ensuring wider access to reliable agricultural market information across Balochistan.