Weeds becoming a concern: UAF VC

Causing the agricultural department to lose billions of rupees

FAISALABAD: Weeds are causing the agriculture department to lose billions of rupees which is why we need to adopt latest methods of eradication to cope with the situation, said Faisalabad University of Agriculture (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar on Wednesday.

He expressed these views during a seminar on weed eradication organised by the department of agronomy.

He labelled weeds as the enemy of agricultural production. It causes loss of water, productivity and land. By controlling weeds, we can improve productivity as well as farmer’s income, he stated.

UAF VC also urged the farming community to ensure the use of technology at all stages of crop production. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy contributing 21% to Pakistan’s gross domestic product. However, the country is still lagging behind in implementing modern trends, he lamented.

Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Muhammad Amjad said that parthenium had emerged as a threat in the province. He stressed upon the need to step up efforts against the weed.

Agrarian productivity can be boosted tenfold by transferring modern technologies to small farmers, who make up 90% of the farming community, he said.

Department of Agronomy Chairman Dr Riaz Ahmad and others also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2018.