First-ever: AIOU’s journal on rural development, agriculture published

Research journal focuses on role of women in agriculture, organic farming, basmati rice cultivation, yield losses

The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has published a research journal on rural development and agriculture, a statement on Thursday read.

The research journal encompasses the areas of farmers’ interest in an effort to dispense academic support for the country’s socio-economic development.

This is the ninth research journal the varsity has published in the past two years.

“This is in continuation of the university’s policy, focusing on meaningful research that benefits the society as a whole,” said AIOU Vice-Chancellor Shahid Siddiqui.

The research methodology applied has been evaluated and approved by an international advisory board that consists of scholars from USA and Canada.

The topics covered include the role of women in agriculture, organic farming, basmati rice cultivation, and farmers’ perception about yield losses.

Siddiqui said that since he joined the varsity he has underscored the need to enhance research-based activities as well as academic conferences.

The vice-chancellor added that in this regard, the academia has been given incentives to engage in research.

Department of Agriculture Sciences Assistant Professor Sabir Hussain Shah said that the ethical guidelines set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Thomson Reuters Journal Selection Process were strictly followed while producing the journal.

Furthermore, before publication, it was rigorously reviewed at a meeting of the university’s editors as well as the editorial board headed by AIOU Sciences department Dean Naghama Rashid.

Meanwhile, the publication’s second volume is still being prepared and will be referred to the HEC for formal recognition soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2017.