Magazine October 2010 - Higher Education Commission

University News
UAF Organizes
Farmers Gathering
UAF Workshop on
Edible Oilseed Crops
The Department of Agronomy, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) recently organized
a workshop entitled “Edible Oilseed Crops:
Threats and Challenges from Production to
Consumption,” in collaboration with Pakistan
Society of Agronomy.
The major objectives of the workshop were to
identify the threats and challenges in edible oil
production in the country, find out possible
solutions to overcome these challenges, and to
establish linkages among different stakeholders.
“Pakistan is facing acute water shortage and most of
the farmers are forced to pump underground water for
irrigation purpose which is not fit for this purpose.”
This was stated by Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice
Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF)
while addressing Farmers Gathering regarding
Management of Poor Quality Water on Salt-Affected
Soils at Proca Farm recently.
Dr. Khan said that UAF is striving for transfer of
technology under out-reach programme, in order to
bring prosperous Green Revolution in the country. He
reiterated his commitment for development of
innovative and farmer friendly technology.
The Vice Chancellor said that MSc and PhD level theses
have great potential for new technological revolution
but due to resources constraints this knowledge could
not be translated into action.
Dr. Anwaar-ul-Hassan, Director, Institute of Soil and
Environmental Sciences, UAF highlighted the EFS
project, adding that barren land and saline soils are
being rehabilitated by UAF, which is very encouraging
for farmers who are facing problems due to brackish
water.
Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Sindhu, Director Farms, shared his
experience to rehabilitate the saline affected soil. Dr.
Abdul Ghafoor, Dr. Amjad Aulakh and farmers of the
area also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, UAF was
chief guest on the occasion. Dr. Zahid Atta
Cheema, Chairman, Department of Agronomy,
who is also President of Pakistan Society of
Agronomy, and Dr. M. Ashfaq, Dean, Faculty of
Agriculture were also present.
The event gave a deep insight into the threats
and challenges faced by the oil seed crop
industry. Groups of participants were formed to
discuss and find researchable issues as well as
solutions to the challenges of edible oil imports,
and making Pakistan a self-reliant country in
edible oil production.
The researchable issues were finalized in the
concluding session and strategy was developed
for public-private partnership by establishing
links with seed companies, which promised to
offer scholarships to university students and to
support the research on edible oilseed crops.
Progressive farmers' input regarding production,
seed availability problems and marketing issues
were also discussed.
The Managing Director, Pakistan Oilseed
Development Board (PODB)) suggested some
remedies to solve the issues of growers as well as
marketing problems. He also elaborated the
details of Olive Cultivation Project in barani areas
supported by the Government of Italy.
The recommendations/ researchable issue have
been formulated as a report. which may be
downloaded from www.psa.net.pk.
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