Agricultural woes: ‘Conversion of fertile land to residential colonies alarming’

UAF vice chancellor highlights major issues pertaining to food security

FAISALABAD: The increasing trend of conversion of fertile agricultural land into residential colonies will worsen food security issues given the ever-increasing population, and this matter needs to be addressed immediately. This was said by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

The VC was speaking at an inaugurating session of the three-day Agriculture Tourism Festival arranged by Agriculture Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan on Friday.

“With the adoption of modern trends, we can increase agricultural productivity manifold. The country has been facing different challenges ranging from low per acre productivity, climate change and new diseases in the agriculture sector,” he said.

He called for increased efforts on part of the all stakeholders to address the issue at a national level. He said with non-adoption of the latest trends, the agriculture sector is far behind compared to the rest of the world. He called for safeguarding the rural culture and products with value addition.

“Tourism is the largest industry and in the recent years, agri-tourism has gained popularity and has attracted urban population,” he said, adding that the university was strengthening its ties with
the farming community and industry in order to effectively address their problems.

Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice-President Rao Sikandar said the festival would provide an opportunity to the urban population to get away from the monotonous routine and spend time in the rural culture that would fascinate them.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2016.