'Agriculture scientists urged to plan research in right direction'

Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has stressed upon the agriculture scientists to set the planning of their research into right direction to meet the challenges confronted by the Agri. Sector. He was addressing an oath-taking ceremony held at Auditorium of Ayub Agri. Research Institute during which the Minister administered oath to the office bearers of Pakistan Society of Agronomy.
A National Seminar on crop management and food security was also held in the meantime. Dr Nurul Islam, Director General Agriculture (Research), Dr Abdul Majid, Country Manager ICARDA, Dr Mubarak Ali, Chief Executive PARB, Zahid Atta Cheema, Ex-President Pakistan Society of Agronomy and Hafiz Akram newly-elected President of Society also participated in the ceremony. The Minister for Agriculture emphasised the need for combined efforts of all wings of Agriculture Department to solve numerous problems faced by the farmers. He said that God has bestowed our country with precious resources which could be fully exploited to make the Pakistan a developed nation. The Minister for Agriculture informed about the efforts of Punjab government to develop agriculture on modern lines and stated that the country resources are more than sufficient to fulfil requirements of the country and also we could export agriculture products to foreign countries. In order to harness export potential of the Punjab province the government is introducing foreign countries with agriculture products of the province.
Elucidating the problems faced by small farmers the Minister added that among other problems paucity of economic resources is the main stumbling block in increasing per acre yield of small growers. He asked the scientists to develop technology which could solve problems of small growers. Scarcity of irrigation water and water logging and salinity are the other problems which deserve special attention of agricultural scientists. Dr Abdul Majid, Country Manager ICARDA stressed the need for developing new methods for fertiliser placement to achieve maximum benefit from the available resources and developing water saving technology is imperative to avert future risks to agricultural crops. Dr Mubarak, Chief Executive PARB stated that technology package developed by agronomists if adopted by growers could change their fate and bring prosperity in the country. Zahid Atta Cheema, Ex-President of Society also addressed the seminar. The Minister later on addressed a press conference in which he informed about the steps taken by Punjab government for developing agriculture of the province.