International Symposium on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad has set up Zarai Baithak, (Zaraibaithak.com) meant to providing solutions to agri problems of the farming community by using information technology. The project is carried out by Institute of Agri Extension and Rural Development in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of the Punjab. It was announced at the International Symposium titled “Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based Agricultural Advisory and Extension in Pakistan” arranged by the Institute at Video Conference Hall on Wednesday. The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while the scientists from the University of California, Davis, USA including Dr Jim Hill and Dr Mark Bell were guests of honour on the occasion. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the website provides an opportunity to farmers especially living in far-flung areas to discuss their problems with agricultural experts for boosting up production. He said that agriculture production excluding corn and potato has been stagnant for the last couple of years whereas the population is increasing rapidly. He was of the view that newspapers, mobile phones, TVs, internet and others information technologies had gained immense importance, influencing the opinions of the people. The effective use of these technologies for agriculture purpose can help the country uplift the agricultural sector. He also said the knowledge was generating with the large pace that must be communicated to the farmers. Dr Jim Hill stressed the need for collaborative efforts on the part of scientists and stakeholders to work together for ensuring food security in the world. The food security is one of the major threats for the world amid climate changes and depleting water resources. We have to use the modern technologies useable for farmers, he added. Dr Mark Bell said that better provision of information to farming community in persuasive ways would bring positive change. He called for applying integrated approaches regarding modern technologies such as radio, TV, mobile phones etc to spread messages among the farmers in order to promote latest agri practices. The Institute Director, Prof Dr Tanvir Ali, said that per acre of the country is low that can be boosted by promoting the latest practice. He said that water resources are depleting. We have to take measures to increase the production to fight food insecurity. Director Agri Information, Government of Punjab Rafique Akhtar said that his department was making all-out efforts to promote the latest agri practices. He added that ICT was the need of hour keeping the trend of modern era in view. He said the data tells that in the country, as many as 123 million people was having the mobile phones and 3.5 Ptcl numbers are operating. He said one agri extension workers is for the 20,000 people in the province. Therefore, the usage of ICT was vital, he added. Dr Rasheed Ahmad and Dr Ahsan Raza said that the UAF had established a fertilizer prediction model in collaboration with Punjab Agri Department. Website (fertilizeruaf.pk) had been set up guiding the framers about the balanced use of fertilizer. The province can save Rs 300 billion per annum with the balances usage of fertilizer. Dr Khalid Mahmood Shauq said that private sector was also playing an active role in this regard. He said that enhanced private-public joint work for the agriculture sector will pave the way for the more progress. Dr Babar Shahbaz from the Institute of Agri Extension, UAF said that there is the gap to transfer agricultural technology among the farming community. He said Zarai Baithak brings the solutionstothe farming community on pest management, latest verities, the ways of increasing productivity etc.