One-Day Seminar tilted “Improving Female Farmers Skills to Enhance Food Production”

The enhanced role of rural women farmers in promoting modern agriculture practices is the guarantee of bright future. It will help combat food insecurity and malnutrition affecting 58 percent of the population. It was the crux of one-day seminar tilted “improving female farmers skills to enhance food production” arranged by the Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall, that was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. The UAF four-day Rabi festival is opened on Thursday with the seminar aimed at spreading awareness among the farmers regarding latest agricultural techniques to boost up the productivity. More than 200 rural women farmers from Okara, Faisalabad and other parts of province participated at the event. Progressive Farmer Rukhsana Zafar was the chief guest while Department Chairman Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Maann, Dr Fawad Ahmad, Naveed Farah, Agricultural Development Bank Agri Officer Kanwal Mukhtar, Dr Rashid Waseem, Dr Yaqeeb, Dr Izhar Ahmad Khan and other notables also spoke on the occasion. The Vice Chancellor said no nation can be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with men. The agriculture is directly linked with poverty and hunger alleviation in which women are rendering remarkable services. He lauded the role of women farmers in progress as they are not only looking after their children and other domestic affairs but also standing with men side by side in the farms. He said that Punjab has the rich culture and traditions that must be promoted at the University Level that will help in the better understanding while interaction with rural folks to transfer the knowledge into goods and services. He was of the view that the country is facing many threats including food security, depleting natural resources etc. In this scenario, expedited efforts, on the part of all stakeholders, are prerequisites to fight the crises. We need to ensure women role in the mainstream, he added. He said that the UAF in collaboration with ICDD had launched project under which five hens are being given to the farmers to increase their incomes. Rukhsana Zafar said that women are playing significant role in the development of the country. At one side, they carry out domestic chores while on the other hand, they work at farms to earn livelihood. She said that women farmers can increase their income manifold by applying the modern agriculture practices. The increased production will not only help themselves but also facilitate the county to ensure the food security. She said that more than a large number of population is associated with the agri sector. Replacement of traditional agricultural methods with modern practices will boost up production manifold. Prof Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Maann lauding the women role said that without the contribution of women, the dream of progress can not be fulfilled. He said that women were serving the society not only at the practical field but also maintaining homes. Kanwal Mukhatar said that Agricultural Development Bank is offering the loans to the farming community at their doorstep. She said that Bank is offering many types of agri loan to benefit the farmers comprising 68 percent of population. Dr Fawad Ahmad told the audience about the poultry and ways to maintain the poultry at farms or at domestic levels. He said that as many 1.5 million of population is associated with the commercial poultry industry. He said that poultry industry was set up with Rs 400 billion. He also told the audience about small level farming at home or at small farms. Dr Arshad Waseem said that the world population will touch 204 million by 2015. He said that with the help of tunnel farming, one can increase its profit manifold. He said by the production of chili at tunnel farmers, one can get profit from 3 to 5 lakh from one acre in a year. Naveed Farah in the welcome address said that World Women Day was initiated in 2008. October 15, the Day is being marked every year whereas on October 16, Food Day is being marked whereas on October 17, Poverty Alleviation Day is being held. These all days are interlinked. As the poverty alleviation is linked with the food and agriculture in which women role play am important role.