Reforms for agronomy growth stressed

JARANWALA:

In an effort to meet the food demands of a growing population and establish a market model that benefits common farmers, scientists at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) are formulating policy recommendations to enhance the wheat procurement system, increase per-acre productivity and create profitable agriculture.

The announcement was made during a consultative meeting on the Wheat Crop Scenario for 2024-25, organised jointly by the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and the Asian Development Bank.

The dialogue was prompted by the Government of Punjab's directive for the university to conduct an in-depth analysis of the wheat scenario and farmers' perceptions regarding wheat support prices and cultivation for the coming year.

UAF VC Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan emphasised the urgency of improving the wheat procurement system to minimise losses.

He also highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in addressing the challenges faced by the farming community. The meeting reached a consensus that public procurement inefficiency is a significant factor contributing to the underdevelopment of the wheat market.