Scientists should address issues of farmers: Dr Iqrar

VC says sector is facing daunting issue of low productivity

FAISALABAD: Agricultural scientists should keep themselves updated with technology development to address the problems of farming community, said University of Agriculture, Faisalabad UAF) Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

He was speaking with the deans at the syndicate room on Saturday.

The agriculture sector was facing the daunting issues of low productivity, stagnation in the major crops, deteriorating soil heath and post-harvest losses, he said, urging the scientists to develop indigenous solutions to the problems.

The adaptation of latest agricultural methods was vital to increase per acre production and alleviate poverty and hunger, he said.

Dr Iqrar said that there was a need to promote such crops varieties which are suitable to be picked by machines, adding that the UAF has developed a cotton germplasm PB-896, which is suitable for the machine pickers.

“If we promote cultivation of soybean it will not only meet the domestic requirements but also help us grab international market,” he said.

UAF entry tests on April 22

Talking about the admission process at the university, the VC said the entry test for undergraduate programmes will be conducted on April 22.

The centres would be set up in 12 cities, including Faisalabad, Gujrawala, Lahore, Layyah, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Burewala, and Bahawalpur.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2017.