'Better agriculture practices, varieties, will improve our economy'

Federal Science and Technology Secretary Fazal Abbas Maken has said that problem-solving researches coupled with a mechanism of translating the knowledge into products and services are prerequisite to alleviate poverty and to compete with the rest of the world. He addressed the appreciation ceremony for the winners of research productivity award and technology development fund. Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Chairman Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gillani and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan also spoke.
The ceremony was organized by Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at the meeting room, Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, UAF.
Fazal Abbas Maken said that majority of our population was living in rural areas and economy of our country was depending upon agriculture. If we are able to better agriculture practices and varieties, it will better our economy. He urged experts to reach out to farming community about latest technologies and trends that will increase the productivity. He said that it was a challenge for the social scientists. He said that the strong academia-industry and society ties will pave the way to make the development and prosperity. He said that the quality and demand driven researches will help cope with the challenge facing the country.
Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Chairman Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gillani stressed upon the scientists to conduct the goal oriented research. He said setting the goal in life was most important that pushed oneself toward the success and prosperity. He said that team work in the research was vital to bring the change on the face of science and technology. He said that the efforts of yourself will reward you. He said that research productivity award and technology development fund is hallmark step to motivate the researches and flourish the economy. He lauded the efforts being made on the part of the UAF for the quality education, research and outreach program.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the country was importing the pulses and edible oil worth billion of rupees. If we promote its cultivation, we can not only overcome the import but also earn foreign exchange. He said that UAF was bringing strategically interventions to reduce the import bill of edible oil. He said that it is a matter of grave concern that 40 percent of the population was malnourished. He said that it was due to eating habit. If we bring the diversification in our food, we can overcome it.
The county can save 16 MAF of water, more than Tarbela and Mangla dams storage, by reducing two irrigation for wheat crop from five to three times, with the adoption of water efficient wheat varieties and its harvesting on latest trends countrywide. He said that UAF research portfolio had crossed Rs 2.5 billion.