Lower Dir District

Lower Dir has a total area of 1,583 sq.kms with a population size of 1,435,917 which comprises of 49% (approx.) male and 51% female population. The area has seen a population growth of approximately 100% in the last 19 years. It is relatively new districts of KP, formed in 1996. Lower Dir, has relatively more plain areas as compared to its Upper counterpart but it is still mountainous. Agriculture, horticulture, mining and construction are the main sources of income generation for the population. As of now, the aforementioned mainstay sectors can be primarily targeted for regional development. For this purpose, it is proposed that modern techniques of agriculture and horticulture be introduced in the province and ‘private regulated markets’ be setup in the district. Also a setup maybe build in the area to support mining and construction sectors as huge reserves of Marble and Granite minerals are found, however, proper estimation of these minerals is necessary as there are various departments suggesting different reserves of minerals in the district. In addition, the sectors of Livestock, Embroidery and Forestry also have potential to generate revenue, create jobs and contribute in regional development as it has second largest reserve of forest in KPand carbon credit schemes can be introduced.The area is also suitable for olive tree cultivation and in 2005 Pakistan Oil Seed Development Board initiated a project with assistance from Instituto Agronomico Per L’Oltremar (IAO), a scientific and technical branch of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide technical support to farmers in the areas with potential for olive cultivation in an effort to produce edible oil. Olive cultivation has the potential to ease together with other crops the burden of the import bill for edible oil.30 employees of PODB and 600 farmers from KP were trained by the project authorities and farmers were also provided saplings on concession rates.