'Tangible steps needed to educating farmers'

Agricultural experts have stressed the need to make our production suitable as per standard set by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) through taking tangible steps and educating the farmers. Addressing a national conference titled "Recent trends, challenges and future strategies of Agri extension in Pakistan" organised by the Department of Agri Extension, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at new senate hall, UAF.
They also urged to take tangible steps to promote the drip irritation, as the water scarcity is becoming one of the major issues of the country and the globe. Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmed said that the progressive farmers are getting 55 to 80 mounds of wheat per acre, while the average farmers is getting only 28 mound per, which means that knowledge is there but socio-economic and management used to play the role in this regard.
He stressed the need to move the knowledge at the doorstep of farmers to make the difference on the horizon of agriculture. He urged the extension workers to come up with innovative ideas to bring the change in the attitude of traditional farmers with their effective skills of persuasion.
He said the university is in the process of revisiting its past 50 years glory and chalking out a progressive agenda through holding a series of national and international events and the conferences to celebrate, as well as make evaluation of the progress being made during the last fifty years. He said we have a good reason to showcase our strengths by celebrating golden jubilee as whatever we produced in the last fifty years now we set to gain it in only one decade but challenges are how to transform it into good for the common man.
Presenting welcome address, Dr Sher Muhammad chairman extension department, told the audience about the role and performance of the department. He said that the alumni of the department are playing its vital role in transmitting the knowledge to the farmers.
M Rafiq Akhtar, Director Agricultural Information Punjab, Lahore said the agriculture fetches 80 percent of the country's total export earnings. He said more than 48 percent of the labour force is engaged in this particular sector. The Punjab province contributes a major share in the agricultural economy with 83 percent of cotton, 80 percent of wheat, 97 percent fine aromatic rice, 63 percent of sugarcane and 51 percent of maize to the national food production, he added. He stressed the need of involving electronic and print media in the campaign.
Talking about the challenges confronting by the farmers, Muhammad Asif Khan, Project Director, Fruit and Vegetable Development Project Punjab, Lahore said the farmers are unorganised and confidence lacking and dependence of farmers on extension agents for decision-making.
Talking about Farmers Field School (FFS) initiated in 2004, he said that the Farmer Field School is an unusual sight. School without walls where farmers and facilitators gather on weekly basis to analyse the progress of a crop, learn the biotech interactions between soil, plant and insect, chart the dynamics of insect population and finally bring this knowledge together to make informed crop management decision.
Dr Tanvir Ali while delivering vote of thanks said the university is actively organising a series of programmes under the leadership of Dr Iqar to sensitise the public about the challenges facing in the agriculture field. He hoped that the extension workers and university would make the history in bringing green revolution in the country. He emphasised on the narrowing the gap knowledge and practical work.
Professor Nowshad Khan, the chairman Department of Agricultural Sciences, AIOU told the audience about the potential for improving the interaction and effectiveness of informal development partners in agricultural development. Dr Idress Khan from Peshawar University talked about recent trends and challenges in agricultural extension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dr Khalid Mehmood Chauhdry conducted the programme. The session was presided over by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, while Division of Education and Extension Dr Tanvir Ali and the Department Chairman, Dr Sher Muhmmad, was also present on the occasion.