Experts highlight factors hampering growth of agri-sector

Inflected seeds and lack of mechanisation are hampering the potential of the agriculture sector, said University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf.

He expressed these views while speaking at ‘Zaraee Baithak’ organised by UAF’s Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics on Tuesday. He said that it is vital to develop smart agriculture technology for small farmers.

He maintained that the university was working towards developing climate resilient seeds in order to increase production per acre and ensure food security. Faced with an ever increasing population and decreasing fertility of agricultural land, we need to adopt modern trends to tackle the situation, he said.

Progressive farmer Basharat Jaspal said that adopting modern agriculture methods, climate resilient varieties, and timely sowing crops are prerequisites for increasing agricultural yield and ensuring food security.

Faculty of Animal Husbandry Dean Dr Sajjad Ahmad Khan said that better fodder techniques need to be implemented. He stated that the varsity was making all-out efforts to address the problems faced by the farming community and for the growth of the agricultural sector.

Former Dean Agriculture UAF Iftitkhar Ahmad said that we must keep the nutritional value of fodder in mind. He said that agricultural land was diminishing as a result of our growing population as more and more of it is being used for residential colonies.

Department Chairman Dr Tanvir Malik said that milk is an essential part of our diet. He said that with better usage of fodder, we can increase milk output per animal.  He said that fodder production decreases with higher temperatures, an issue which needs to be addressed.

Dr Ameer BB said that this session will provide an opportunity to all stakeholders including the farming community, scientists, policy makers and others to address the issues of the agriculture sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2019.