Food insecurity: Call for skilled manpower, quality research to overcome situation

Skilled manpower, quality research and increment in per acre production are imperative to feed ever-growing population and to cope with food insecurity situation. This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while chairing a seminar on "Major selection for students of Agri Sciences" at Iqbal Auditorium. The event was arranged by Agrarian Society, UAF.
Addressing on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor said that the production of major crops was facing the stagnation for the last many years. He said that agri land was decreasing and being converted into residential colonies. He cautioned if trend continues, the issue of the food insecurity would worsen.
He said that the country was blessed with fertile land, talented people, four seasons and natural benefits. If we apply the modern trend to our agriculture, we can not only meet our needs but also earn foreign exchanges. He urged teaching community to produce committed and skilled manpower that is the guarantee of bright future. He added that UAF had revived FSc pre-agriculture in the recent years as the system of FSc pre agriculture had been stalled 35 years ago.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture Professor Dr Riaz Ahmad said that all-out efforts were being made to produce trained and skilled manpower keeping the challenges of the modern era in view. He said that agricultural sector had been facing numerous issues like climate changes, new diseases and low productivity. He called for joint efforts on the part of academia, researchers and farming community for the said cause. Hall Warden Professor Dr Amjad Aulakh said the agriculture is the backbone of our economy which was contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that the university students' enrolment had touched to 23,000. The state-of-the-art facilities are being provided to the students.