Director USAID in Pakistan Ms Jo Lesser calls on UAF VC Prof Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan

The issues of food security, water, energy and climate changes are main areas of concerns that need to be addressed with collaborative efforts, said USAID Pakistan Director Jo Lesser. She addressed a meeting of Centre for Advanced Studies held Video Conference Room, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Executive Director HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, UET Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, Prof Bilal from Nust, Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal, Dr Sultan Habibullah Prof Dr Baber, Dr Qamer ur Zaman, Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha and other notables also spoke on the occasion. She said that USAID is setting up three centers for advanced studies including Food Security Centre at the UAF; Centre on Energy at NUST with satellite centre at UET Peshawar, and the Centre on Water at UET Jamshuro, Sindh. She said that USn is committed to uplift the country and the projects are aimed at addressing the issues at the national level. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that four chairs would be set up under Food Security/Agriculture Centre at UAF including Climate Changes Chair, Bio Diversity Chair, Agriculture Policy Chair and Precision Agriculture Chair that will help the country move the new height of the progress in the term of increase in production and to ensure food security. He stressed the need to develop forecast short, mid and long term weather scenarios, to develop strategies for coping climate change, promoting precision agriculture to cope with the challenges. Dr Mukhtar said that the setting up of the centers is a hallmark steps that will help the country to fight the water, food security and climate changes challenges. He stressed the need to collaborated efforts to tackle the issue in the shape of quality researches and producing trained manpower. SIH Gilani said that his satellite centre on energy will help the country to cope with the issue in the shape of the researches and manpower. Prof Dr Iqbal called for using the alternative methods of energy in order to meet the demand of electricity. The methods include bio energy, solar energy etc. Dr Qamar-u-Zaman said that the Precision Agriculture must be promoted in the country to increase the per acre production with the usage of satellite system. Water Research Centre Management Director Dr Allah Buksh stressed the need enhancing water productivity by using feasible efficient irrigation techniques. Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha said that climate changes chair will focus on ensuring food security by adapting and mitigating climate change through research, capacity building and creating awareness among stakeholders.