FAISALABAD City News

Modern agri methods must to ensure food security

From Our Correspondent

FAISALABAD: Adoption of modern agri methods at par with the modern world, climate resilient varieties, timely sowing of crops and balanced use of fertilizer are must to increase yield and ensure food security.

It was echoed at a farmers convention arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad as part of its ongoing spring festival.

Speaking on the occasion, UAF VC Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan called for applying the latest practices of agriculture as per recommendations of agricultural experts to ensure the food security. He said that the government was making all-out efforts to address the problems of farming community and to flourish the agricultural sector. He said that the Punjab government would soon hold a conference on agriculture to find solutions to the emerging issues of the sector.

Dr Rao Asif Ali from Mian Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University Multan said that the food security was one of the serious concerns for the country. He said that the climate changes were posing a serious threat to the agriculture sector. He said that climate resilient varieties were need of hour.

Punjab Agriculture (Research) Director General Dr Abid Mehmood said that the disease tolerant and short term varieties were being introduced in the country. He said that the latest practices of agricultural, timely sowing and best breeds were imperative to improve the production. He said the country was the sixth largest producing country in sugarcane, fourth in cotton, 16th in vegetable, seventh in wheat and 13th in rice.

Director General Punjab Extension Dr Anjum Ali Bhuttar said that the kitchen gardening must be promoted across the country that would help provide sufficient food to the people. He said that the extension department was doing it best to provide training to the farmers.

UAF Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Abdus Salam said that the UAF spring festival was meant for increasing interaction of farming community with agricultural experts and policymakers so that their issues could be addressed.

UAF Chinese Confucius Institute Dean Dr Yang Zhijiang said that the institute was taking all measures regarding training about Chinese language so that both countries could share their experiences that would further cement the ties among the people of the two countries. He said that agriculture was playing a pivotal role in the development of the country. Dr Tahir Siddique, Dr Manzoor Ahmad and others also spoke on the occasion.