FAISALABAD-Experts said during a seminar that skilled manpower, research work for solving agricultural problems and increase in per acre agricultural production are imperative to feed growing population and cope with food insecurity.
University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan chaired the seminar on major selection for the students of Agricultural Sciences at Iqbal Auditorium. The event was arranged by Agrarian Society, UAF.
The vice chancellor said that the production of major crops was facing stagnation for the last many years. He said that agri land is decreasing and being converted into residential colonies. He cautioned if the trend continues, the issue of the food insecurity would worsen. He said that the country was blessed with fertile land, talented people, four seasons and natural benefits. “If we apply the modern trend to our agriculture, we can not only meet our needs but also earn foreign exchanges,” he said.
He urged teaching community to produce committed and skilled manpower that is the guarantee of bright future. He added that UAF had revived FSc pre-agriculture in the recent years as it had been stalled 35 years ago.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Riaz Ahmad said that an all-out effort was being made to produce trained and skilled manpower keeping the challenges of the modern era in view. He said that agriculture sector had been facing numerous issues like climate changes, new diseases and low productivity. He called for joint efforts on the part of academia, researchers and farming community for the cause.
Dr Amjad Aulakh said that agriculture is the backbone of the national economy which contributes 21 percent to the gross domestic product. He said that the university students enrollment had touched to 23,000. The state-of-the-art facilities are being provided to the students, he claimed.