‘Proper use of farms can save millions’

The project will enable farmers to interact with experts, says UAF VC.

FAISALABAD:

“Information and communication technology is being used to strengthen soil analysis and fertiliser need determination models in the Punjab,” University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Saturday.

Speaking at a meeting, Khan said the programme was a joint effort of the UAF and the Punjab Agriculture Department. “The programme aims to inform farmers about proper input requirements and latest practices through SMS, call centres and the world wide web,” he said.

The UAF VC said the project would help address problems farmers faced and would increase their productivity.

“It will enable farmers to interact with experts… a facilitation centre is being set up at the UAF for this purpose.”

“The country is losing a lot of money because of improper use of inputs... millions of rupees can be saved by spreading awareness among farmers.”

Khan said that the UAF had established a fertiliser requirement model in collaboration with the Agriculture Department to guide farmers about balanced use of fertilisers. Agriculture Department Extension Director General Anjum Ali Buttar said balanced use of inputs could reduce the cost of production.



“The project is a complete package… It will bear fruit in terms of improvement in productivity.”

Prof Rasheed Ahmad told the participants that food security was a major concern. “The project will bring tangible results to increase the productivity and increase farmers’ profits.”

Agriculture Information Director Rafiq Akhtar, Registrar Muhammad Hussain, Treasurer Umar Saeed, Rasheed Ahmad, Soil Sciences Institute Director Javaid Akhtar, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Director General Abid Mahmood, Community College Principal Khalilur Rehman and Dr Ahsan were also present on the ocassion.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2014.