Alumni meeting: ‘Food insecurity is common to Indian, Pakistani Punjabs’

Experts call for student exchange programmes between agriculture universities.


Our Correspondent April 25, 2015
University of Agriculture in Faisalabad. PHOTO: UAF.EDU.PK

FAISALABAD:


Experts at the 59th alumni meeting of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Saturday scientists from Indian and Pakistan’s Punjabs should collaborate in agricultural research to combat food insecurity in the region.  


Former minister for industries Hussain Gardezi said climate change and food insecurity went hand-in-hand.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It contributes 21 per cent to the GDP,” he said. “Development in agriculture is the only hope for curbing food insecurity in the country.”

He said ties between the UAF and the PAU, Ludhiana should be strengthened to promote innovative collaboration.

Indian Punjab State Farmers’ Commission Mohali Chairman Dr Ghurcharan Singh Kalkat said student exchange programmes between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), India, and the UAF should be launched so that researchers could share knowledge and ideas.

He said introducing modern methods was necessary for improving productivity.

UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said joint research projects would open up new avenues for development.

“India and Pakistan not only share a history and culture, but they also have similar climates and agricultural production and face similar challenges,” he said. “It makes sense to tackle shared problems through collaborative efforts.”

PAU Vice Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhilloon said researchers from both countries had much to learn from one another.

“Water scarcity and land degradation directly affect food production,” he said. “Joint efforts are needed to tackle these challenges.”

Punjab Agriculture Research Board Chairman Noorul Islam said heat tolerant crops must be promoted to counter the effects of climate change.

A condolence reference was also held for former UAF vice chancellor Abdur Rehman who passed away a month ago.

Raising his contribution to agricultural research, the participants said that he had helped develop a nuanced understanding of food security.

They said he had introduced a variety of high yielding wheat titled LU 26. They said he had also devised the roadmap for the Post Graduate Agricultural Research Station at the UAF.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2015.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ