University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Al-Ghazi Tractor Limited have inked an MoU to materialise co-ordinated efforts for conducting survey of farmer's land including soil topography, assessment of soil and water sources and quality along with source of power, farm operations, pre-dominant cropping pattern, perform soil and water analysis and to design the water supply system from source of water to high efficiency irrigation system in accordance with the mutual objectives.
The agreement was took place at VC Chamber with Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor and Engineer Pervez Ali CEO of Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited here on Monday morning. According to the details of MoU, UAF will assist in the installation and operation of high efficiency irrigation system including supervision during installations, provide support for after sale service of the installation, and training to the farmers on operation, maintenance of the system, acid treatment and chlorination, agronomic practices etc.
Further UAF will assist in preparation of training manuals, advise on standards, specification and criteria for the equipment of high efficiency irrigation system, and assist in mobilisation and selection of farmers. Both parties agreed that UAF will assist in establishing demonstration sites to inform farmers on the features of drip and sprinkler irrigation and demonstrate its benefits.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan VC emphasised that we have to transform our agricultural practices from tractorisation to mechanisation. He added that HEC has defined Rs 22,000 per annum allocation for each postgraduate student among 66 public sector universities as compared to Rs 90,000 by UAF per student annually which is obviously an evidence of quality education.
Professor Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad Director WMRC predicted that future of agricultural engineers is much brighter due to growing scope of mechanisation. Professor Dr Abdul Rehman Tahir and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the guests visited various labs of the University and attended a seminar on career development at old senate hall. Addressing the participants as chief guest, Engineer Pervez Ali pointed out that quality of leadership along with efficiency and effectiveness are the core principles of success followed by quality of organising work, art of communication, and self-assessment.