Agriculture sector crisis: Academia, researchers should come up with solutions: minister

Punjab Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said that the agriculture sector is facing different challenges including water scarcity, climate changes and crippling energy crisis in which academia and researchers should come up with solutions to overcome the challenges.
He stated this while addressing the participants of 22nd Convocation of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad as the chief guest. He said we have to ensure our food security in ever growing population, adding that all the stakeholders should come together for the development of the agriculture sector.
He said that it is a matter of concern that the country is importing edible oil worth three billion rupees for which steps are afoot to promote the cultivation of olive oil in pothohar area. He said that the Punjab government is working hard to address the issues of agriculture and farming community. He said that the Punjab government has converted 20,000 tube wells to the biogas in order to face up to the energy crises as the pilot project.
He said our new hybrid maize seed is available in market at just Rs 2500, which was far less than the prices of multinationals of Rs 7000.
He praised the university for entering in the list of top 100 universities of the world. He praised the UAF academia, research and outreach programme.
UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the UAF is taking all-out efforts for the uplift of agriculture sector through ensuring food security and trained human resources.
He said the university has attained 97th position in Agriculture Sciences, according to National Taiwan University. The Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) has also ranked the university as top degree awarding institution of the country for 2013. He said that UAF has developed a comprehensive action plan Vision 2030 to achieve a sustainable agriculture through its three cornerstones: learning, discovery and outreach. The university houses a satellite unit of a German funded International Centre for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) to fight against global hunger and poverty through research and education.
Former Indian Chief Election Commissioner Dr Manohar Singh, who received an Honorary PhD Degree from the UAF in this convocation, while addressing the audience urged for joint collaboration in academia through students and faculty exchange programme.
As many as 3,327 students were awarded degree and 35 students were decorated with medals at the convocation. As many as 101 PhD, 322 MPhill, 1448 MSc and MSc (Hons) MBA, MCom and 1410 students of first degree programme were awarded degrees.
Registrar Muhammad Hussain led the academic procession. Controller of Examinations Professor Dr Abdul Wahid proceeded the session. Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Professor Dr Rai Niaz, Government College Women University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Naureen Aziz, Government College University Faisalabad Professor Dr Muhhammad Ali, University of Gujrat Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Zia-ul-Qayyum, Defence University Rector Professor Dr Zia ul Qayyum, members UAF Syndicate Manzoor Thakkar and Rabia Sultan were also present.