The revival of agriculture and horticulture through introduction of new technology in earthquake-hit areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is need of the hour.
This is the way through which the poverty alleviation can be achieved.
This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Bashir Ahmad, while addressing the closing ceremony of the training on 'floriculture and landscape' for in-service officers, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, organised by the Institute of Horticultural Sciences (IHS).
He said the participants of this training would be involved in future rehabilitation programme for the earthquake survivors through various activities such as development and beautification of new towns and cities.
The vice-chancellor said the horticulture therapy had a power to heal. "Helping farmers to grow floriculture crops which may have potential to provide them some income and helping them to live a healthy life", he added.
Professor Bashir Ahmad said the UAF had always been involved in various rehabilitation activities at earthquake hit areas and this was another opportunity for UAF scientists to participate in this social work. He lauded the efforts of parks and horticulture organisations of AJK for providing the opportunity to UAF scientists to extend their services to strengthen the infrastructure through training of in-service officers.
Professor Bashir Ahmad maintained that the UAF always tried to bind the agriculture chain of the country by different activities such as organising conferences, seminars and such short-term courses and trainings. This was the only way to reach the destination of capacity building and staff development in every walk of life, he added.
AJK Parks and Horticulture Director Abdul Shakoor, in his address of welcome, said despite October 8 disaster, the AJK quake-hit areas soil was having a great potential of productivity in the field of floriculture and horticulture.
He said the agro-ecological diversity enabled the farmers of AJK with competitive advantages to achieve maximum income in floriculture. Abdul Shakoor lauded the infrastructure of UAF and the facilities extended by IHS to the agriculture officers of AJK.
Institute of Horticultural Sciences Director Dr Aslam Pervaiz highlighted the importance of floriculture and horticultural short courses arranged for AJK agri-officers, saying that IHS had extended its services in various areas all over the country.