Kissan convention: speakers for adopting modern technology

Speakers at Kissan convention urged farmers to adopt modern technology keeping in view precision agriculture bio-technology and other techniques that would double agriculture and livestock production in a short span of time. "Pakistan can not only meet its own requirement but also earn heavy money from exporting agricultural and livestock value-added products," they added.
The convention was arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at Iqbal auditorium. The session was presided over by University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Ayub Research Director General Noor-ul-Islam and Extension L&DD Punjab Director General Dr Muhammad Irfan Zahid were also guests of honour on the occasion.
Dean, Faculty of Agriculture UAF, Dr Mohammad Ashfaq District officer Jang Yousaf Hassan and District Officer Agriculture Faisalabad, Abdul Hameed, Professor Dr Ehsan-Ullah, and Haji Arshad spoke on the occasion. The session was aimed at educating farmers about new researches and technology.
The farmers hailing from across the country participated in the session. The university is used to organise such event, off and on, and it is fourth consecutive convention. The university also distributed 10-kg bags comprising BT Cotton and Super Basmati Rice and vegetable seeds among all the participants.
Addressing the participants, the UAF Vice Chancellor urged the participants to get state-of-the-art knowledge of the agriculture so that they can increase their production manifold. He said that by the use of modern way and proper training, Pakistan will be able to export all the major agri-products and the session is also a step towards spread information among the farmers that would help bring green revolutions.
He also said that Kissan Convention is a platform from where the farmers can share their problem related to agriculture. He assured of full co-operation on the part of university in the regard. Dr Noor-ul-Islam said the farmers about the ways to get maximum production from an acre. He stressed the need to use genetic improved crop varieties. He called for adopting technology to increase production as, he said, that some diseases played havoc with the crop so timely measures should be taken to eradicate it. He said it is in the best interest of farmers to get information about the proper use of water and soil.
He said that the wheat production has increased seven percent, rice 13 percent, sugarcane eight percent and potato 116 percent with the help of new researches and extension workers who played their role in educating the farmers. Giving data about agricultural achievement of 60 years, he said in 1947, Pakistan had only nine flour mills and in 2009-10, we have 915 flour mills which only happened due to knowledge and extension work.
He further said that in 1947 we had not even a single rice mill and now we have 494 mills of this domain. In 1947, Pakistan had two sugarcane mills and now we have 82, ginning factories were 14. He said that now temperature is increasing so the farmers should make more water available for wheat production with short interval to avoid low production.
He said that it is need of the hour to use modern seeds that have maximum self-resistance so that agricultural production of our country may double in a short span of time. He also briefed the participants about the cotton, sugarcane, fodders and other agri-products. Dr Muhammad Irfan Zahid informed the participants about roadmap to improve the productivity of livestock, selection of animals, use of balanced rations and health care of the animals etc. He said the Punjab government is introducing corporate farming in the province to facilitate the farmers.
Dr Abul Hamid hailed the University for organising the event that would help farmers to increase production. District officer Jhang Yousaf Hassan said that the 323 villages were affected by floods in the districts. He lauded the rehabilitation efforts made by the university for 18 Hazari Tehsil of Jhang.