Public Lecture on “Agricultural Development, Trade and Bilateral Relations”

Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr Manohar Singh Gill on Friday said that ties between Pakistan and India need to be strengthened with dialogues, people-to-people contact and trade in order to get benefit from each other experiences. He addressed a special lecture on “Agricultural Development, Trade and Bilateral Relations” at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad at Iqbal Auditorium. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and Agriculture Secretary Punjab Dr Ijaz Munir were also present on the occasion. He said that dialogues and people to people contact are imperative to shun the differences among the both nations. He said that ties in the agriculture sector and trade would open up new horizon of the progress He was of the view that in Indian Punjab, Mandi Board had been established under which 1200 model agri markets are functioning, buying the farmers produce at their doorstep. It helped farming community get rid from the exploitation of middlemen. The model in Pakistan would also become helpful in addressing the problems of farmers. He said: “this year, as many as 140 million tons wheat is produced in India. The India government purchases the all wheat from every farmer with the support price. Indian Punjab agricultural per acre productivity is around double than Pakistani Punjab. Their Indian Punjab government is providing heavy subsidies on fertilizer, agri inputs and free electricity for agricultural use. We are also providing heavy loans to farming community so that they can use the modern machinery for boosting up productivity. As many as 1.2 million tube wells are operating as 70 percent of land is being irrigated through tubewells whereas 30 percent through canal system in Indian Punjab. He stressed the need to conserve the water as it is becoming scarce across the world because of climate changes etc. Talking about population, he said the increasing population is a real challenge for the both countries. India population was 120 million in 1947 which has increased to 1.2 billion. Talking about women, he said that the women participation in the social and economic development was imperative to catch up the model world. Talking about UAF, he said: “I am impressed to know that as many as 47 percent girls are studying at the UAF among the 16,000 students. He said that the UAF is the mother of all agricultural institutions in the subcontinent that had played a pivotal role in bringing the green revolution. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the agricultural ties would help face up to the challenge food security. The food insecurity was major challenges in which scientists and researchers should pace up their efforts. He said that the world population will rise to nine billion by 2050. Pakistan population is reaching to 190 million. Policy measures are needed to control the increasing population. He said that the university was making all out efforts to flourish the sector which is the backbone of our economy. He added that the UAF was providing all modern facilities to the students. He said that lack of adoption of modern methods was hurdle to increase the productivity. Dr Ijaz Munir said that the Punjab Government was taking all measures to raise the agricultural production of the country. He said that agricultural experts must expedite the efforts for the cause of the food security. He also urged the students to get the education with the dedication so that they can shoulder their responsibilities effectively.