The timely sowing of crops, adoption of best varieties, balanced usage of fertilizer, soil analysis and following the recommendation of agricultural experts are imperative to increase the agricultural yield and to ensure the food security.
It was echoed at the farmers convention arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad as part of its ongoing spring festival. As many as 1,700 farmers participated at the convention.
The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor (Dr) Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Dr Jim Hill, Dean, University of California (UC DAVIS), USA, Punjab Agriculture ( Research) Director General Dr Abid Mehmood, Director General of Punjab Agricultural Extension Dr Anjum Ali Bhuttar, Dr Sandra Mustafa from Australian Support Linkages Program, Dr John Sprigs, PARB Chairman Dr Noorul Islam, UAF Faculty of Agriculture Dean Professor (Dr) Muhammad Arshad, Chairman of Department of Agronomy Professor Dr Ehsan Ullah, Dr Muhammad Rashid and Director Punjab Livestock Department Dr Iftikhar Ali were also present on the occasion.
Professor Iqrar Ahmad called for applying and promoting the latest practices of agriculture as per recommendation of agricultural experts in order to increase the productivity to fight the hunger. He said the population was increasing with a large pace whereas land and natural resources were depleting.
He said that "we had to increase per acre production that will not only ensure the food security but also reduce the poverty from the country".
He said that the UAF had been holding the spring festival for the last eight years in order to ensure the interaction of the farming community with agricultural experts, and policy-makers so that their issues can be addressed effectively.
DG Agriculture (Research) Dr Abid Mehmood said the country was the sixth largest producing country of sugarcane; 4th in cotton; 16th in vegetable; 7th in wheat and 13th in rice. He said the latest practices of agricultural, timely sowing and best breeds will imperative to improve the productivity. He said that as many as 944 varieties of different crops and fruits had been developed so far. He said that the disease tolerant and short-term varieties were being introduced in the country.
DG of Agricultural Extension Dr Anjum Ali said that the kitchen gardening must be promoted across the country that will help provide sufficient food to the people. He said the extension department was doing it best to provide training to farmers and giving seeds in 36 districts of the province. He said the Punjab government had approved Rs 1 billion project for disseminating knowledge, technology and seeds among the farming community.
Dr Sandra Mustafa said that under the ASLP, the farming community of different districts in Pakistan is being trained about the value addition. She said that citrus, mango and dairy are being given the special focus. She said that the rural women were also playing an active role in the agricultural sector of the county.
Dr Rashid said that the UAF in collaboration with the Extension Department had developed a fertilizer model to provide information about the balanced usage of fertilizer among the farming community. The farmer can get the information about balanced fertilizer use and experts recommendation from the site fertilizeruaf.pk.
At the end, bag of seeds of cotton, rice and vegetable were also distributed.
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