Horticultural, dairy sectors: US to assist in enhancing capacity of scientists

A renowned agricultural scientist and US scholar John Mellor has said that US will provide financial and technical assistance (TA) in order to enhance the capacity of horticultural and dairy sectors scientists under USAID programme. He was talking to the Acting Vice Chancellor UAF, Professor Dr Muhammad Ashfaq in Vice Chancellor's Chamber on Thursday.
John Mellor while highlighting the main features of USAID programme said that capacity enhancement programme for Pakistani scientists will lead towards high productivity in both the sectors. "5 and 10 years duration mutual co-operation and financial aid programme for strengthening agriculture sector of Pakistan is basically milestone on the road of long lasting friendship of Pakistan and United States," he added.
Mellor urged the need for improvement of marketing system in agriculture and dairy sector in order to transfer the benefit towards small and landless farming community. He maintained that Pakistan could achieve its maximum yield potential in horticulture and dairy by introducing latest innovative approaches and technologies. He also stressed the need for participation of women in extension activities to obtain the productivity.
Professor Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Acting Vice Chancellor highlighted the role of UAF in order to provide its services in human resource development activities. He added that since its inception, University has been striving for excellence in education and research.
Dr Ashfaq maintained that due to illiteracy in rural areas, the pace of mechanisation in agriculture sector is very slow. Dr Ashfaq said that due to indiscriminate uses of pesticides the attitude and temperament of people is badly affected. He added that 99 percent victims of breast cancer in cotton picker women are recorded due to use of pesticides, which is a constant harm for coming generation.
Three member US delegation later on visited faculty of Agri-Economics and Rural Sociology and had discussions with Dean, Professor Dr Zulfiqar Ahmad Gill and Professor Dr Muhammad Siddique Javed, Chairman Dept.of Agri. Economics and other faculty members to locate new avenues for mutual co-operation in order to strengthen Pak-US bilateral relations.