(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By Zafar Chishti, Bureau Chief Punjab Pakistan)
UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali meets Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan to discuss boosting agricultural productivity and supporting farmers
FAISALABAD: UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali Meets Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan during a meeting held at Punjab House in Islamabad, where both leaders discussed practical measures to strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture sector and increase crop productivity.
During the meeting, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and economic growth. He stated that the government is committed to supporting the agriculture sector and encouraging research that can help farmers increase per-acre production.
The governor urged agricultural scientists and researchers to introduce modern and scientific solutions that can address the challenges faced by farmers. He said Pakistan must adopt innovative farming practices and research-based strategies to become self-sufficient in food production and ensure long-term sustainability of the sector.
The meeting, in which UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali Meets Punjab Governor, also focused on the challenges faced by farmers in arid and semi-arid areas where water scarcity and climate change are affecting crop production. The governor urged agricultural universities to intensify research efforts to develop crops that can grow successfully under harsh environmental conditions.
Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan appreciated the valuable contribution of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in promoting agricultural education, research and innovation. He said the university has played a significant role in improving farming practices and developing modern agricultural technologies that benefit farmers across the country.
During the discussion, UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali Meets Punjab Governor to brief him about the latest research initiatives and development projects at the university. He informed the governor that UAF has introduced new germplasm for several crops aimed at improving productivity and climate resilience.
According to Dr Zulfiqar Ali, the university has introduced improved varieties of heat-tolerant wheat, durum wheat, soybeans, brassica, okra, maize, industrial hemp, chickpea, quinoa, sorghum, mango, citrus and cotton. These innovations are expected to help farmers increase crop yield and adapt to changing climate conditions.
He also informed the governor that the university has recently launched the Kisan-360 mobile application, which provides farmers with guidance on crop management, modern agricultural techniques and market information. The application aims to improve communication between agricultural experts and farmers and help them adopt better farming practices.
Dr Zulfiqar Ali further highlighted that UAF is strengthening academic-industry linkages to promote agricultural development. As part of this initiative, the university has established a modern seed processing plant to maximize seed production and provide high-quality seeds to farmers.
In addition, the university has started agro-zoning of the entire province, which will help farmers select crops according to soil type, climate conditions and water availability, ultimately increasing productivity.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation between government institutions, universities and farmers. The discussion once again highlighted the importance of collaboration as UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali Meets Punjab Governor to explore new opportunities for agricultural development and sustainable growth in Pakistan.
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