Modern agricultural practices termed key to food security
Zeeshan Baig, General Manager at Syngenta Pakistan, underlined the need for a comprehensive government strategy to harness innovation, particularly in the agriculture sector. photo: file
Developing agriculture on modern lines is crucial for increasing per-acre production, meeting the needs of a growing population and making farming a profitable profession, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan.
He shared these views in a message to participants of the Farmers' Day held at Chak 201 RB as part of the Wheat Campaign on Wednesday.
Dr Khan emphasised the importance of timely sowing for healthier crops and higher yields. He urged farmers to adopt drill sowing instead of broadcasting and to conduct soil analysis to apply balanced fertilisers effectively.
Highlighting the government's efforts, he noted that projects worth billions of rupees have been launched to uplift agriculture, focusing on reducing production costs and promoting mechanisation.
Director Extension Dr Khalid Mahmood highlighted the Punjab Chief Minister's special agricultural package worth billions of rupees, which aims to increase the wheat cultivation area. The package includes incentives like green tractors, laser land levellers, and other farming tools. He added that the number of Kisan cards has risen to 750,000, enabling farmers to access interest-free loans for agricultural inputs and reduce reliance on middlemen.
Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif called agriculture a profitable profession when developed scientifically. He emphasized following expert recommendations to boost production and lower costs. He also advocated for adopting water-saving technologies in the fields.
Dr Muhammad Naveed pointed out the deteriorating soil health, stressing the need for soil analysis to address deficiencies in zinc, sulphur, potash, and other nutrients. He recommended using bio-fertilisers, developed by UAF, to improve soil fertility and benefit farmers.
Deputy Director Extension Hafiz Adeel commended the Wheat Campaign, where UAF students and Extension Department officers are working together to promote modern agricultural practices.
Agriculture Officer Maryam Anwar advised farmers to complete the sowing process in November, warning that delays would reduce yields and increase per-acre seed costs. She recommended certified seed varieties such as Akbar-19, Urooj-22, and Dilkash-20, emphasizing the role of quality seeds in achieving better production.