UAF to set up farmers training centre

Model farm would teach varsity’s students to handle modern technology for agriculture

FAISALABAD:

University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) will set up a learning and coaching centre and a model farm where students and farmers would be imparted training about the use of modern technology for agriculture.

In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between Engro Fertilisers Limited and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at the meeting room on Monday.

UAF Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Tanveer chaired the meeting while Director Research Dr Zaheer Ahmed Zaheer, Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Javed Akhtar, Hall Warden Dr Muhammad Yaseen, Director External Linkage Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, Director Farms Dr Muhammad Tahir, Academic Industry Linkages Manager Dr Khurram Zia and Engro Chief Commercial Officer Amir Iqbal and President Nadir Salar Qureshi were also present on the occasion.

Spread over 12 acres, the learning and coaching centre and model farm would be set up under academia-industry linkages which would showcase new technologies and also provide practical training to students and farmers about modern trends and precision agriculture from seed preparation to crop harvest.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tanveer said, “Academia-industry linkages are essential to meet the changing demands of the modern world.”

He added that universities around the world work together with industries to introduce innovations and new trends with research and development.

He further said that the country was blessed with tremendous resources, four seasons, ecosystem and talents. "Now it is our responsibility to utilise them effectively for a prosperous Pakistan."

The UAF's Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation was strengthening its ties with the country's different largest industrial groups, he added. Documents were also exchanged after the signing of the MoU.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2020.