Import of pulses, edible oil Rs 400 billion can be saved by promoting cultivation

The country is importing pulses and edible oil around Rs 400 billion which can be saved by promoting and strengthening their cultivation. This was said by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while talking to 41st Batch Common Training Programme, Civil Services Academy Lahore. The delegation was led by Additional Director Khalid Javed. The Vice Chancellor briefed the team about the agriculture sector.
He said if we become self-sufficient in edible oil, we cannot only save the money but also earn heavy foreign exchange. He said country is blessed with four seasons and best cropping system. It is need of the hour to tap the potential by promoting the latest agriculture practices in order to increase per acre production. He added it is a challenge for the agriculture scientists and other stakeholders to ensure the food security for ever growing population.
Talking about rice, he said Pakistan is exporting rice worth Rs 200 billion at the heavy expense of water, as rice consumes 4,000 litres for one kg production, in the era when the water scarcity is haunting the food security. He said water crisis is deepening and it is imperative to switch our focus on water efficient crops. The per capita water availability has reached 1,000 cubic metres compared to 5,000 cubic metres' availability in 1947. He said that severe water crisis looms and can cause devastation in coming years if steps were not taken to sensitise people about rational use of water. Meanwhile, the team comprising of 18 under training officers of 41st Common Training Course in Civil Services Academy Lahore visited DCO Office and participated in a briefing session.
DCO Noor-ul-Amin Mengal welcomed the officers and apprised them about the historical, cultural and developmental and other aspects of Faisalabad district. He informed that various initiatives have been taken for highlighting the cultural and historical heritage of the district and strengthening the institutions for durable development under "Sona Lyallpur Project". He informed that infrastructural development is being carried out besides establishment of institutions for the beautification of the city and redressing the civic problems. Adding he said master plan of Faisalabad is being revamped for future planning. He said Lyallpur Heritage Foundation has also been set up for the preservation of historical buildings and other sites. The DCO said TEPA has also been introduced in the city for the remodelling of the roads and intersections; besides Faisalabad Parking Company is also being proposed. He said four parking plazas would be constructed to redress the chronic problems of the parking near the 8 bazaars of the clock tower. The DCO informed that Faisalabad Waste Management Company has been taken over in Faisalabad for making the cleanliness system inline with the most advanced and efficient method. He said various links roads have also been proposed to divert the traffic from Motorway for reducing the traffic load on the city roads. He said that Kidney Centre is being established at DHQ Hospital while for providing the advanced medical treatment to the patients. Giving other details the DCO informed that development projects for the renovation and beautification of the both sites of canal roads and improvement of truck/bus stands, fruits and vegetable markets had also been undertaken besides proposing the projects of establishment of slaughter houses of international standards. He also gave details of the Faisalabad Airport up-gradation project, establishment Expo Centre and factory outlets village at industrial estate. Responding the various questions of the officers, he also apprised them sectarian issues and labour problems being confronted to this city and said that planning is also underway to shift the industry from the city to control the environmental hazards. Chief Instructor Civil Services Academy Khalid Javed thanked the DCO and his team for extending good hospitality and arranging comprehensive briefing about the profile of the district Faisalabad.