FAISALABAD, Mar 4 (APP): Agriculture experts at a consultative meeting on Saturday stressed the need for building dams, farm mechanization, climate-resilient varieties, mitigation strategy of climate changes, demonstration of modern agricultural practices at farm level, usage of information and communication technology for sustainability of the agriculture sector.
The meeting titled ‘Prioritization of research areas’ was organised by US Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies (USPCAS) in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at New Senate Hall.
Addressing on the occasion, former National Assembly speaker Fakhar Imam said that at the time of inception of the country in 1947, agriculture sector had been contributing 50 percent to the Gross Domestic Product whereas now, the sector was taking 21 per cent share in the GDP.
He lamented that per capita water availability had declined to 800 cubic metres which was 5000 cubic metre in 1947. The water scarcity is hitting our economy. But unfortunately, we had failed to build a big dam for the last 42 years.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan stressed the need to develop heat-tolerant germplasm of different crops. He said that climate changes were posing serious threat to agriculture and the lives of the people.
He said that ever-increasing population was causing serious challenges for which we have to educate the people about population control.
PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad said that we must have a demonstration place for modern technology in order to guide the farming community about the new trends.
Progressive farmer Habib-Ullah Bhutta said that Allah Almighty had blessed us with tremendous resources. It is our responsibility to tap their potential for the benefit of the mankind.