PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday passed a law for establishment and regularisation of farm services centres on the basis of public private partnership.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farm Services Centres Act, 2014, states that government shall establish farm services centers in all districts of the province.

Provincial Minister for Agriculture Shehram Tarakai tabled the bill, which was passed with majority vote in the assembly.

According to the law, the centres will safeguard farmers` rights and interests, enhance farmers` knowledge and skills, boost modernisation of agriculture and increase crop yield.

The farm services centres will also make efforts to improve farmers` livelihood, develop rural economy and provide certified seed, fertills-ers, animal husbandry service, quality veterinary health care services and medicines to growers.

The centres, according to the law, will also provide loan to the members, subject to the availability of fund, from its own resources on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the farm services centre board.

It will also help the farmers to avail the facilities of laboratories, established and maintained by government, on such charges as may be prescribed from time to time by government.

Under the law, the provincial government will post a director of agriculture, livestock and cooperation department to manage, supervise and monitor the affairs and functions of these centres.

Any person, not less than 18 years of age, having his own agricultural land, poultry farm, dairy farm, fish farm, involved in agribusiness diversification activities, a tenant or having casual farm agricultural activities would be eligible for the membership of the centre.

The assembly also passed The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety Authority Bill, 2014.

The bill is aimed at establishing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety Authority.Minister for Health Shaukat Ali Yousufzai tabled the bill, which was passed by the house unanimously.

Talking about the importance of the bill, the minister said that the law would bring purity in the food items. `We want that every food item being sold in the market must have its proper label,` he said.

MPA Dr Meher Taj Roghani opposed the move of opposition lawmakers, who were insisting to refer the bill to the select committee. She said that unhealthy food items and sweets were common in rural areas that were causing cancer.

Adulteration was a menace in the society, she said.

The food safety authority will regulate and monitor food business to ensure provision of safe food.

Under the law, the food safety authority may constitute committees of experts or may appoint experts for the purposes of detailed study on any aspect relating to food or any specific matter before it or on such other matters as may be necessary for the purpose of this act.

The assembly also passed The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tenancy (Amendment) Bill, 2014.