UAF scientists introduce software for farmers

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad scientists have introduced a software that gives experts' opinion about use and balanced quantity of fertiliser and other information for wheat crop for the farming community.
The team conducted a comprehensive research after taking soil sample and analysing structure of soil keeping in view agro ecological requirements of various zone to reduce unfair use of fertiliser and to increase the agricultural productivity. By putting data of one's land, area and location, one can easily get the expert's opinion by the software.
It was revealed at a seminar on "Site specific fertiliser recommendations for wheat in Multan through website" arranged by the Endowment Fund Secretariat UAF. The seminar was presided over by Vice Chancellor UAF, Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at New Senate Hall, UAF, here on Wednesday.
The project was carried out by Subject Specialist and former Director General, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Dr Muhammad Rasheed and Information Technology Specialist Ahsan Raza.
Dr Khan stressed the need for adopting precision agriculture, which is the most popular practice across the globe, in the country to meet the challenges of food availability. He said the software is a beginning of precision agriculture which is a farming management concept based on observing and responding to intra-field variations, relying on new technologies like satellite imagery and information technology.
He said unfortunately, Pakistan is far lagging behind in the technology so keeping in view, a comprehensive plan should be started to promote precision agriculture in Pakistan for increasing productivity.
Lauding the efforts of the scientists for their achievement, he termed it a millstone that would bring positive result. He said that a variety of wheat called Sahar contains only 9 percent of protein while the other verities were having 14 percent of proteins. He urged the farmers to discourage such varieties that were providing low protein and vitamins.
He said that shortage of fertiliser at the beginning of Rabi season plays havoc with crops so it is the need of the hour to curtail the trend of excessive use in the farm for making it available for everyone and to reduce the expenditure as well as productivity. He also suggested giving recommendation of one kg fertiliser rather than per bag.
Director Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences Professor Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan urged the agricultural scientists to map out a strategy keeping in view agro ecological zone for increasing the productivity of various crops. He said that precision agriculture should be promoted in the country.
Executive Director Endowment Fund Secretariat Professor Dr Tahir Zahoor said on the one hand, the university is busy in imparting quality education while on the other hand, the university also providing resources for development programme to put the researches and knowledge into goods and services by educating the farming community.
Subject Specialist Dr Muhammad Rasheed talking about the software said that it was initially introduced for the district of Multan and Faisalabad while the people of other cities would get this software soon. He said that it was matter of grave concern that attention was not being paid on using the agri inputs on scientific basis in the country. Dr Naeem Mahmood and Dr Sarfraz Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.