Six-day festival: Competition based on agriculture ideas takes place

FAISALABAD: A two-day competition based on innovative ideas in agriculture and food the sector was organised at Iqbal Auditorium of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Wednesday.

The competition was part of the six-day Rabi festival which commenced on Wednesday.

Students from 21 universities participated in the contest. A prize distribution ceremony will be held at 5pm at the Exhibition Centre on Thursday (today).

While speaking on the occasion, UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said agriculture sector is the backbone of our country and contributes 21% to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan.

He added the area of agricultural land was decreasing rapidly, whereas the rural population was moving towards urban areas. Iqrar demanded the government declare Faisalabad a science city as it has many research institutes that would make collaborated efforts for the national cause.

The Punjab government was setting up a Knowledge Park in Lahore to develop knowledge-based economy with the investment of billions of rupees, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2016.