Pakistan should promote seedless citrus, which are in high demand globally, in a bid to grab the international market where citrus with seeds are being discouraged

Pakistan should promote seedless citrus, which are in high demand globally, in a bid to grab the international market where citrus with seeds are being discouraged. This was echoed at a meeting of Board of Directors, Endowment Funds Secretariat (EFS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The meeting was presided over by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan whereas Farmers Associate CEO Afaq Ahmad Tiwana, Ayub Research Director General Nooral-ul-Islam, Chief Planning Officer (r) Natiq Hussain and Director Planning and Development, Agri University, Peshawar Rizwan Ahmad were the guests of honor on the occasion. The meeting approved a project of UAF under which seedless plants will be grown in the five districts of the Punjab including Faisalabad, Sargodha and Toba Tek Singh, on the field of farmers for the demonstration purpose. The ten farmers will be selected from the each district. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan stressed the need of the technology transfer among the farmers that will help in increasing per acre production of the country. Talking about edible oil, he was of the view that Pakistan is importing the edible oil worth 3 billion dollars which is one of the areas of concerns. He called for promoting the oilseed crop to become self sufficient by giving the awareness to the farmers. He said that the university has developed a variety of high yielding canola oil seed named UAF 11 under which crop becomes mature in four months with more oil contents. Talking about basmati rice production, he contended that Pakistan is the water scare country. The basmati rice is taking heavy quantity of water which is increasing the cost in the shape of natural resources. He stressed the need to shift to the other high value crop like oilseed etc. Afaq Ahmad Tawana stressed the need to transfer the technology among the farming community to ensure the food in the country. He also called for introducing the new high yield varieties of the different crops. He was of the view that food security is the main area of concern that must be addressed by taking tangible steps. Dr Noor-ul-Islam said that wheat average production in Punjab is 28 maunds. He said that there is variation in the production areas such as per acre wheat production in Chakwal is ten mounds and in Bhakkar16 maunds. He stressed the need to grow the crops which will give high value keeping in view the climate and rain patterns, country need and international market etc. EFS Executive Director Prof Dr Tahir Zahoor, Registrar Ch Muhammad Hussain, Treasure Ashraf Mumtaz and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.