Muhammad Saleem

The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) is devising a long-term plan to sort out the issues facing farmers, said Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmed in an interview with WealthPK. “Without ascertaining the issues of farmers and agriculture, we can’t achieve the desired results. The UAF is training its students so that they can tackle future challenges and adapt to a technology-driven environment, he said. In 1906, the government established the Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute, Lyallpur (old name of Faisalabad). It was upgraded to the West Pakistan Agricultural University, Lyallpur in 1961 and since 1973, it has been known as the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). “We are determined to lead the change, as every segment of society is facing a revolution. We are preparing a 10-year strategy titled ‘Vision 2030’ to ensure agricultural sustainability. We will strive to promote rural development by advocating agrarian reforms through research-based agriculture policy and technology transfer,” he told WealthPK.

The UAF has become a leader in the knowledge-based economy and is producing modern ideas backed by research. Elaborating the purpose of “Vision 2030”, he said it's a strategic framework to set a future plan of action to elevate the UAF status, which is already playing an active role in the promotion of agriculture. “We have to ensure modern technologies and trends for our farmers to achieve the targets of food security by making agriculture profitable. We have to ensure facilities on the doorsteps of our farmers who are struggling a lot to strengthen agriculture and economy. To meet the nutritional needs of the rapidly growing population of Pakistan, we have to control soil fertility, water, seeds, fertilizers and other issues,” the UAF vice chancellor said. Dr Iqrar said land fertility is declining with the passage of time and it is the duty of agricultural scientists to devise effective strategies to combat this challenge. Through our vision, the UAF will give practical recommendations and discussions with all the stakeholders, he added.

“A major chunk of the Punjab agricultural land is being used for cultivation of rice and wheat, and we can save water by ensuring proportional irrigation,” he added. “Through collaboration of the state-run, private and other departments, we can enhance per acre production. Besides, we have to ensure a proper mechanism in the agriculture sector to increase production and farmers’ income,” he added. Problem-solving research is underway at the UAF so that a feasible strategy can be developed to solve the farmers’ problems, he said, adding that farmers are unable to get a fair profit due to the persistent market mechanism. Through this vision, the government would be urged to revamp the market mechanism. Dr Iqrar denounced the use of agricultural lands for private housing colonies and said this trend must be controlled to save land. By promoting the agro-ecological zone and cluster system, we can improve our agriculture sector. There is a need for changing the seed distribution system in Pakistan. Though best seed is being introduced, the distribution mechanism is not favoring farmers.

Credit: INP-WealthPk