Seminar on horticulture, agribusiness in developing countries held

Ex-foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said agriculture sector and farmers of the country can bring the country out of financial crisis. He was addressing the participants of a seminar on "Horticulture and Agribusiness in Developing Countries" jointly organised by Embassy of Republic of Indonesia and University of Agriculture Faisalabad as chief guest here at Old Senate Hall on Thursday.
Qureshi said that 19 years back, while visiting UAF we discussed future and potential of agribusiness in Pakistan but we could not found solutions that's why we do not have leadership to turnaround things that are happening around us. Whenever, I happened to be in India particularly in Indian Punjab, I used to see and witness farmers' gatherings organised by PAU or other agricultural universities, I always wondered how we can showcase and hold such gatherings in Pakistan.
But today after visiting UAF, I am delighted to see the progress been made under the dynamic leadership of Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan with a spirit to serve the country and farmers of the country, and really gears up the pace of development and outreach activities. He emphasised the need of giving due importance to agribusiness as we have the potential to make the country food surplus that in recent past, this country witnessed a bumper wheat and we didn't have enough storage capacity in the country.
Agribusiness is a way forward as our per acre yield is lower than many countries of the world and at the same time the country has surplus in producing mango, citrus, date, paddy rice. We have great potential to not only feed the 180 million people of the country but we can capture the global market of halal food and milk products. "We need to process, add value and improve the shelf life of the perishable commodities to benefit our farmers and the country at large". Commenting on the poor living situation in Cholistan and Tharparker, Qureshi said that even in the first decade of 21 century, a large population does not have access to clean drinking water.
He termed his recent visits to Indonesia a very positive and constructive as during meeting with Indonesian President. Farmers of Pakistan will pull the country out of miseries and hunger if we incentivize them by providing them guidance and proper counselling through holding farmers' gathering and exhibition. He told that he belongs to southern Punjab which is a hub of cotton with 85% share of raw material is now shrinking due to various factors and threats.
He urged the need to produce more than India as they are growing genetically modified cotton on rain-fed areas contrast to our cotton on canal irrigation, so we need to bring forth such varieties that are tolerant and resistant against virus and diseases with more potential of production. He expressed dismay over the western media propaganda, which used to present Pakistan, a country of non-tolerant people and extremists whereas the people in Pakistan are hospitable, tolerant, and forward-looking. Later the vice chancellor presented golden jubilee mementos to Qureshi.