Speakers at Farmers’ Day have urged the need for mechanised agronomic innovations in order to attract small farmers towards agricultural mechanisation in the country. Farmers’ day was arranged by Water Management Research Centre (WMRC) University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, at Post-Graduate Agricultural Research Station (PARS) Jhang Road on Saturday.
Allama Iqbal Open University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir Ahmad Sanghi was the Chief Guest while Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan VC UAF and US Scientist, Professor Dr Mark S. Hoddle were Guests of Honour. The speakers were Manzoor Ahmad Khan Thakar, Professor Dr Muhammad Iqbal, Dean of the Faculty of Agri. Engineering Professor Dr Allah Bakhsh, Director WMRC, Progressive Farmers Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar and others.
Dr Sanghi said that in this era of science and technology no revolution could be occurred without adopting innovative approach towards mechanisation. He added that rapidly increasing rate of population and stagnant agricultural productivity has been threatening food security at the Globe. He stressed the need for farmers’ friendly and affordable agricultural tools in order to bring mechanical revolution in Pakistan.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan called for precision agricultural initiatives with fabrication of new machineries for enhancement of agricultural productivity as well as water use efficiency. He urged the need for equal distribution of water resources to all provinces and various agricultural zones, so that productivity volume could be increased. He added that UAF has been striving for new agronomic packages with water use efficiency and minimum inputs for farming community.
Dr Mark S. Hoddle lauded the initiatives of UAF to attract farming community to witness demonstrative exhibitory attractions at the Campus. He said that during his last 6 visits to UAF he found this institution more vibrant regarding technology transfer initiatives. Dr Allah Bakhsh highlighted the various technologies designed and introduced by WMRC and its impact on farming community. He added that Skimming Well, bed plantation, drip irrigation and sprinkle system are being displayed at PARS to attract small farmers towards water use efficiency.
Professor Dr Muhammad Iqbal said that Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology has been introducing demand-oriented disciplines at the Campus so that trained manpower could be developed for industry in the country. Manzoor A. Khan Thakar said that he would like to gift a Combine Harvester with all solutions to the University so that engineers of UAF could re-design and modify in the shape of reverse engineering. Farmers from various parts of the Punjab attended the Farmers’ Day and expressed their satisfaction over new innovations. Chief Guest, earlier inspected wheat crop and inaugurated the Wheat Harvesting.
