Dr Muhammad Bashir Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad has emphasised the importance of enhancing interaction among University of Agriculture Faisalabad with other agriculture research institutions to improve the quality of agricultural research.
He was speaking at a seminar on Biotechnology for Crop Improvement at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), says a hand out issued by the Directorate of Agricultural Information Punjab here on Friday.
Dr Bashir appreciated the efforts of Aari, scientists for developing high yielding varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables and added that the immense increase in wheat production this year was the result of varieties evolved by the scientists of AARI, Faisalabad.
Dr Muhammad Rashid, Director General, Agriculture (Research), Aari in his welcome address stated that agricultural scientists were the most important asset of the country as their contribution and efforts played the pivotal role in the development of the agriculture sector.
He stressed the need for providing more facilities to agricultural scientists so that their efficiency and performance could be increased and they could conduct agricultural research with full concentration, dedication and devotion.
Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Director Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute in his keynote address said that biotechnology had the potential to revolutionise the agricultural sector and added that agricultural scientists should use this technology for improving crop varieties for the benefit of farming community.
He informed about the high yielding varieties developed by the institute and also highlighted the future research priorities and strategies of the institute. In the technical session, the scientists delivered lectures on various aspects of biotechnology and the role of this science in the crop improvement.