Speakers at a Farmers Day event held on Saturday underlined the need for innovation in efforts to attract small farmers to mechanised farming and revolutionising agriculture to substantially increase crop production in the country.
The event was organised by the Water Management Research Centre of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) at the Post-graduate Agricultural Research Station. Farmers from various parts of Punjab attended the event to examine the innovations displayed.
Allama Iqbal Open University Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir Ahmad Sanghi stressed that, in this era of rapidly advancing science and technology, no revolution could take place without the adoption of innovative approaches towards mechanisation.
With rapidly increasing population and stagnant agricultural productivity threatening food security around the globe, Sanghi called for developing farmer-friendly and affordable agricultural tools in order to promote mechanised farming in Pakistan.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad emphasised the need for precision farming with new machinery in enhancing agricultural productivity as well as water efficiency.
He advocated equal distribution of water resources among all provinces and agricultural zones, which he said would lead to an increase in productivity.
US scientist Professor Dr Mark S Hoddle, while praising UAF for holding demonstrations of its innovations for the farming community, said he found the university increasingly vibrant in technology transfer initiatives during his last six visits.
Water Management Research Centre Director Dr Allah Bakhsh highlighted the various technologies designed and introduced by the centre and explained their potential for farmers.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2013.
