FAISALABAD City News

UAF VC against converting agri land into colonies

From Our Correspondent

FAISALABAD: The conversion of fertile agriculture land into residential colonies needs to be discouraged to ensure the food security amid the challenges of shrinking agriculture land and ever-increasing population, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

Inaugurating a three-day agri-tourism festival arranged by the Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan at Chak 199, East Canal Road, on Friday, he said that the country was facing different challenges, including low per acre production and climate changes. He called for stepped-up efforts on the part of all stakeholders to address the issues at the national level. He said: “Our agriculture is not compatible with the rest of the world due to non-adoption of the latest trends.” He called for safeguarding rural culture and rural products with value addition. He said that tourism was the largest industry and in the recent years, the agri-tourism had gained popularity. He said that the university was strengthening its ties with the farmers and industrialists to effectively address their problems.

Speaking on the occasion, FCCI vice-president Rao Sikandar said that the festival would provide an opportunity to the urban population to refuge from the monotonous routine and spent time in rural culture that would fascinate them. He said that Lassi was a hygienic drink and its trend was declining. He said: “There is the need to revive our cultural products.”

Agri-Tourism Development Corporation CEO Tariq Tanvir said that the festival was meant to highlight the rural culture and products. He said that they were taking all possible steps to promote the agri-tourism in the country.

Dr Shahzad Basra said that academia and farmers enhanced ties would bring tangible results to increase production. He said that the university was taking measures to redress woes of the rural population.