Moot on modern farming: Reforms in agriculture stressed for food autarky

CHARSADDA: Speakers at a conference on Monday called for introducing reforms in the agriculture sector to achieve autarky for the country in food and other edible items

They were speaking at a three-day international conference on modern farming to achieve self-sufficiency in food and bring economic stability at the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda.Provincial Minister for Higher Education Department Meena Khan Afridi, Secretary Kamran Ahmad Afridi, Chinese scientist Jianlong Xu, BKUC Vice Chancellor Prof Zahid Hussain, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad attended the moot on the first day.

Agriculture experts from across Pakistan and abroad are participating in the conference to discuss several issues and hurdles in the way of the latest framing in the country.The experts would present papers on various challenges, including climate change, increasing population and decreasing food, steps for food security and law and order situation.

The speakers said that shortage of irrigation water, outdated farming system, bubble of population, decrease in agriculture land and terrorism were the main hurdles in the way of modern farming and subsequent slow growth in the agriculture sector.

They suggested that Pakistan should take steps to introduce reforms in agriculture and remove impediments in the way of using modern technology in farming, decreasing reliance on international financial institutions and equipping youth with the latest science and technology education to boost the sector.