The varsity senate also elected two new members of the syndicate for three years. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The senate session was chaired by Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana, while the budget was presented by UAF Treasurer Umer Saeed.
Out of the total budget allocation of Rs8.6 billion, the budget for non-development schemes was Rs4.2 billion whereas Rs34.33 million were earmarked for Water Management Research Centre.
While addressing the senate session, the governor said the government was taking all possible steps to address the issue of farming community and to ensure quality education that will help the country fight challenges.
He said agriculture was the backbone of our economy and tangible researches would pave the way to increase agricultural productivity. He said majority of population in the country depend upon the agriculture sector.
He maintained the farmers had faced many difficulties. The government had introduced Kissan Package and increased loans for farming community to ensure food security, he further said.
He said in order to redress the grievances of the cotton growers about non-availability of seed the government had formulated Punjab Seed Act.
Similarly, UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said although the country had abundant food but most of the population was malnourished. He said it was due to unhealthy life style.
He maintained the UAF had developed a new variety of cotton which was climate resilient. He said the varsity had also identified nine new varieties of mangoes.
The VC pointed out the university was working on hybrid seed of wheat and maize that will result in increasing the productivity.
Meanwhile, the UAF senate also elected Dr Ijaz Bhatti and Dr Tahira Iqbal as the members of the syndicate for three years.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2016.
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