Pakistan and other heavily populated countries of the region should promote Genetically Modified (GM) crops rather than organic crops in order to meet the demands of a growing population and eliminate hunger.
University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad suggested this while talking to a delegation of the Higher Education Commission here on Thursday.
Ahmad said population of the world was seven billion, which would rise to 9.4 billion by 2050 and would need more food.
He said Europe was self-sufficient in food and was switching to organic crops, but the model could not be applied in Africa and other developing nations where food shortage is a serious problem.
He said China and India, having large populations, were using the same model of GM crops while the US was growing GM crops over an area of 64 million hectares.
Talking about climate change, he said the cropping system was changing but the daylight duration was the same. “We have to introduce new varieties of crops keeping in view the new climatic conditions.”
He said corn flour production had increased three times compared to wheat flour but Pakistan lacked technology in this regard.
In order to educate farmers about modern practices, UAF has set up call centres in eight districts in collaboration with the Punjab government for giving suggestions of agricultural scientists to boost agricultural and livestock productivity.
The teaching staff of the university, which has so far produced 900 PhDs, spends one day in a week with farmers in villages during the outreach progamme. Government College University Lahore former vice chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab stressed the need for conducting joint research in various departments for the benefit of society.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2012.
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I'm afraid about genetically modified crops. Here in France, the scientists have a strong opinion against the use of genetically modified crops, not because they can fulfil the need of population by growing organic crops but it's due to the unknown and unprecedented fears for the effects these genetically modified crops may have on human health.
Beware, we must not use the genetically modified crops. Instead, we must strive hard to select the naturally high-producer varieties of crops. Beware, beware, beware of the potential risks that once appear, we will never be able to recompensate those damages.