The 2nd National Conference on Agriculture and Animal Sciences in its concluding session presented recommendations addressing all aspects of agriculture and animal production in Pakistan, keeping in view the challenges posed by the 'Agenda 21' declared by World Commission on Environment and Development.
The conclusions and recommendations represent consensus of the conference in terms of most important areas:
The conference was of the view that agriculture sector should be considered as an engine of economic growth and crucial for economic development, food security and poverty alleviation.
The recommendations said that livestock is a major component of agriculture sector and needs serious attention from planning circles and more so for value-addition. It emphasised the need to bridge the yield gap in agriculture and animal production.
There is urgent need for improvement in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry institutions, it said.
The conference pointed out that irrigated agriculture in Pakistan was seriously threatened due to depleting water resources. Therefore, the sources must be properly managed on rational and conserved lines, and agriculture planning be adjusted to climatic changes.
The conference was of the view that agriculture should be given high priority in state policies. Productivity increase could be achieved through system management, farm support and use of available technology. Increased production will reduce imports, benefit farmers and impact rural poverty.
Future sources of growth in agriculture are increased intensification, better harvest management, and global and domestic trade.
For achieving maximum net income from sustainable use of land and water resources will require optimum land use (Agro-ecology), cropping pattern and sequence, product quality and consumer preference.
Agriculture education should meet the national and global needs and students be given sufficient field experience and intensive training in socio-economics and policy formulations, while agriculture and animal science research should generate improved technologies as they form the crucial input into agriculture and animal production.
It was recommended that the neglected areas be given high priority in agriculture planning, for example livestock, fisheries, forestry, farm machinery, socio-economic and marketing.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry extension needs revamping, as farming systems are becoming specialised and present extension system is unsuitable for the changed situation. Research-Extension linkages be established and given emphasis to electronic media and Internet for transfer of technology.
The conference was of the view that World Trade agreement (WTO) has put developing countries' farmers at a disadvantage in competitive pricing. Subsidy issue should be negotiated as developed countries are giving large subsidies to their farmers distorting trade terms.
While dramatic new technological developments are taking place in the field of frontier technologies, exotic transgenic varieties (GMOs) should not be used until and unless their environmental, ecological, nutritional, economic and social implications and consequences are fully understood.
The conference emphasised the need to reverse the increasing damage to ecological foundation of agriculture and livestock such as land, water, forest, biodiversity and the atmosphere. There is distinct possibility of adverse changes in climate, which will affect weather patterns, water resources, the cycling of seasons and ecosystems.
The conference was of the view that marine and coastal fish production has drastically reduced due to reduced flow of water in the Indus Delta resulting in ecological and social problems. Restoration of delta and coastal aquaculture development should be given priority by both provincial and federal governments.
The Conference said that there was complementarily between the government and market and the civil society in ensuring household food security. Prevalence of market imperfections exacerbates food security. The state's role is important in ensuring accessibility and availability of food to low income households.
The conference pointed out that wetlands are undergoing progressive decline and degeneration due to industrial and domestic pollution and pesticides runoff. There is need to address the factors for conservation of wetlands with respect to their biodiversity, water quality and aquatic ecosystem. Government personnel and concerned stakeholders should be trained in wetland management and community-based resource management.
The Conference was of the unanimous opinion that three dimensions ie ecological security, livelihood security, and food security are essential elements of sustainable use of natural resources. These should be given due consideration in framing policies for national agriculture and future development strategies.
The conference emphasised the need that biodiversity should be conserved as a matter of survival and economic benefits. In view of the growing threats to biological diversity, time has come to consider the Earth's natural and biological resources as assets to be projected and conserved and managed for the benefit of all humanity and future generations.
The conference unanimously resolved that 'Society for the advancement of agriculture sciences' (SAAS) be founded at Sindh Agriculture University.
It was also resolved that the 3rd conference on Agriculture and Animal Sciences be declared as an 'International Conference-2006'.
The conference concluded on the following note: "If you plan for one year, plant rice. If you plan for ten years, plant trees. But, if you plan for one hundred years, educate the people".
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