‘Need to market agricultural produce’

Speakers say social media can be used to address issues of farmers

FAISALABAD: The country is facing issues of weak marketing for agricultural produce, which is hindering the chances of getting reasonable prices not only domestically but also at the international market, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad.

Addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on students’ entrepreneurship and professional development arranged by the UAF Department of Computer Sciences, he expressed concern that middlemen were fleecing producers and the consumers.

Keeping this in view, we have to strengthen our agricultural marketing system in order to make agriculture a profitable sector, said Ahmad while chairing the session.

He said that in modern times online shopping had gained immense importance and there is a great need to benefit from information and communication technologies to compete with the rest of the world.

Pakistan Institute of Entrepreneurship CEO Tahir Mehmood Ch said that more than 90% of the products in the country are directly or in-directly related to agriculture. He stressed the need to inculcate the Information and Communication Technology with the agriculture sector in order to increase the profitability in the sector.

He said that with the usage of social media, the farming community can sell their produce.

Dean Faculty of Sciences Dr Muhammad Javed called for enhancing the skills of students with innovative ideas, so that they can face the challenges of life effectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2016.

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