The provincial agriculture secretary and vice-chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, at a meeting held at the campus, were unanimous that strong links between agriculture educational institutions, as well as their extension and research, is imperative for sustainable development of the agriculture sector.
Senior officers of the agriculture department and deans of the university attended the meeting. It was decided that a committee comprising director-generals of various wings of agriculture departments and deans of the Agriculture University should be constituted.
Although terms of reference of the committee have yet to be formed, but sources told newsmen the committee would identify areas for effective co-ordination amongst various institutions working for the development of agriculture sector, with a view to provide maximum assistance and transfer of knowledge to the farming community.
The committee would recommend various measures. Implementation of these recommendations would be monitored on daily basis for which two persons have already been nominated.
The meeting decided to share all projects' information, data, programmes and events so that collaborated initiatives would be taken for agricultural development. Addressing the meeting, provincial agriculture secretary Nazir Muhammad Mahar stressed upon training to field officers and staff so that they could transfer knowledge of advanced farming techniques to growers.
He hoped the university would assist the agriculture department in capacity building, change of curriculum of agriculture training institutes, development of master trainers, third-party monitoring of projects and certified seed production.
Vice-chancellor Dr Sheikh pointed out key areas of priority including enhancement of production, conservation of water, provision of quality inputs including pesticides and fertilisers, development of arid and bio-saline agriculture, agricultural potential in coastal areas and post-harvest operations in the light of the World Trade Organisation (regulations).