The other half: Women farmers ‘can help boost yields’
UAF seminar stresses use of modern farming techniques for rich dividends.
More than 200 rural women farmers from Okara, Faisalabad and other parts of the province participated in the event. PHOTO: FILE
FAISALABAD:
The enhanced role of rural women farmers in promoting modern agriculture practices is the guarantee of bright future. It will help combat food insecurity and malnutrition affecting 58 percent of the population.
This was the topic of a seminar titled ‘Improving female farmers skills to enhance food production’ arranged by the Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), that was chaired by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.
The UAF opened its four-day Rabi festival on Thursday with a seminar aimed at spreading awareness among the farmers regarding latest agricultural techniques to boost up productivity. More than 200 rural women farmers from Okara, Faisalabad and other parts of the province participated in the event.
The VC said agriculture is directly linked with poverty and hunger alleviation, and women are rendering remarkable services in the field. He lauded the role of women farmers in the industry.
He said that Punjab has a rich culture and traditions that must be promoted at the university level. That, he said, will provide better understanding and opportunities for interaction with the rural population to transfer knowledge. He was of the view that the country is facing many threats including food insecurity and depleting natural resources. In this scenario, expedited efforts on the part of all stakeholders are a must to fight the crises. We need to ensure women play a major role in this, he added.
Chief Guest Rukhsana Zafar, a proponent of modern farming techniques, said that women are playing significant role in the development of the country.
She said that women farmers can increase their income by applying the modern agriculture practices. The increased production will not only help them but also facilitate the country ensure food security. She said that a large portion of the population is associated with the agriculture sector. Replacement of traditional agricultural methods with modern practices will boost up production manifold.
Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Maann of the UAF faculty, lauding the role of women said that without the contribution of women, the dream of progress cannot be fulfilled.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2013.
The enhanced role of rural women farmers in promoting modern agriculture practices is the guarantee of bright future. It will help combat food insecurity and malnutrition affecting 58 percent of the population.
This was the topic of a seminar titled ‘Improving female farmers skills to enhance food production’ arranged by the Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), that was chaired by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.
The UAF opened its four-day Rabi festival on Thursday with a seminar aimed at spreading awareness among the farmers regarding latest agricultural techniques to boost up productivity. More than 200 rural women farmers from Okara, Faisalabad and other parts of the province participated in the event.
The VC said agriculture is directly linked with poverty and hunger alleviation, and women are rendering remarkable services in the field. He lauded the role of women farmers in the industry.
He said that Punjab has a rich culture and traditions that must be promoted at the university level. That, he said, will provide better understanding and opportunities for interaction with the rural population to transfer knowledge. He was of the view that the country is facing many threats including food insecurity and depleting natural resources. In this scenario, expedited efforts on the part of all stakeholders are a must to fight the crises. We need to ensure women play a major role in this, he added.
Chief Guest Rukhsana Zafar, a proponent of modern farming techniques, said that women are playing significant role in the development of the country.
She said that women farmers can increase their income by applying the modern agriculture practices. The increased production will not only help them but also facilitate the country ensure food security. She said that a large portion of the population is associated with the agriculture sector. Replacement of traditional agricultural methods with modern practices will boost up production manifold.
Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Maann of the UAF faculty, lauding the role of women said that without the contribution of women, the dream of progress cannot be fulfilled.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2013.