Knowledge is power: UAF launches app for farmers

FAISALABAD:

“Use of information technology can enable the farming community and help them increase per acre yield,” said University of Agriculture (UAF) Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan on Tuesday.

He was addressing a UAF Deans’ Committee meeting.

The vice chancellor said that the university had launched an agricultural mobile phone android application for various crops and fruit diseases, their prevention and cure and ways to increase productivity.

Dr Khan said that the application, named Horticulture UAF, was available for download on Google Play Store.

He said so far the application had information on wheat, cotton and citrus fruits. He said more crop varieties would be added to the database over time.

The vice chancellor said the online education programme at University of Agriculture should be strengthened. He said that students should have access to lectures by scientists.

UAF Information Technology Director Farjeel Javed said social media enabled better communication. He said the university would expand its online presence.

He said the UAF promoted eco-friendly virtual learning. He said university had introducing cloud technology across the campus in one year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2014.