Speakers have called for using biotechnology and bioinformatics to control insects damaging various crops that would help meet the requirement of agricultural need of our country and boost economy. Addressing an international seminar titled 'Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Entomological Neglected Issue' at the Farmers Syndicate Hall, UAF, here on Wednesday.
Dr Anjum Sohail in his opening address said the seminar is a step to sensitise the public about IPM. He said the IPM is a system discouraging excessive use of pesticide spray on various crops and this standard is set by WTO for the export of any commodity. He said that entomologists were in the high demand in the world with the growing agricultural need of the world. He said his dept was committed to producing skilled manpower and to give the solution to the entomological problems facing the country.
Dr Mark Hoddle from the University of California urged the people to adopt integrated pest management discouraging excessive pesticide spray on the crops. He said the people about the IPM challenges stressing the need to cut excessive use of pesticide and said apply pesticide when needed.
Dr Muhammad Shafiq former DG Agri-Extension Punjab informed the audience about the future challenge of management of aphids on wheat crops. He said that the Pakistan stands at number 8th as far as the area for cultivation of wheat is concerned while the country is 6th biggest county in the production of the said crop. He stressed the need to adopt modern technology to increase per acre yield as the 20 maund per acre wheat is being achieved in some areas while the progressive farmers are getting 50 maund per acre.
He said the country is getting 2.32 t/h of wheat against the production of 2.82 t/h across the globe. Dr Afzal from Bayer Crop Science Pakistan stressed the need to carry out researchers to protect biodiversity. He said that there is need to fill the knowledge gap in entomology and to create awareness among the farmers regarding the discipline. He said steps should be taken to control CLCV spread on cotton.
He informed the audience about the qualities of a researcher saying he/she should have the qualities of leadership, integrity, flexibility, and efficiency. He said in the field of research, his company, Bayer, is willing to be a partner with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. FMC GM Sarwar Rahi informed the audience about whitefly and measure to be taken in this regard. He said with the change of varieties of crops, pesticide pattern also changes. He said that whitefly can spread diseases with widest impact.
In the tropics and subtropics, whiteflies have become one of the most serious crop protection problems. M Nawaz from the Government College University shed light on biotechnology. Chairman, Entomology Department, Anjum Sohail presided over the seminar. Ex-Chairman Entomology Dept, Dr Muhammad Akhtar was the chief guest while Dr Shamshad Akbar was the guest of honour.
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