Pakistan Strategic Support Program (PSSP) Chief Dr John W Mellor and his research fellow, Dr Stev Davies meet UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at his chamber

Agriculture in Pakistan is directly linked to the poverty alleviation. It needs to be strengthened by increasing investment on the sector and adopting a comprehensive policy that will increase employment opportunities, said Pakistan Strategic Support Program (PSSP) Chief Dr John W Mellor. He addressed the gathering of students and teaching staff at a seminar titled “Agro growth and Economic Transformation” at New Senate Hall, UAF. His research fellow, Dr Stev Davies and UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan also spoke on the occasion. He said that as many as 85 million of the population in Pakistan is working with agricultural sector as labour force. He pointed out that the agriculture has direct relations to employment as it increases, more jobs are provided. He said that the agri extension and researches are the areas which need to be developed to cater the growing food need of the country as well as whole region. He added the federal government is spending 1.7 percent of budget on the sector while the Punjab is spending 7.5percetn of budget on the sector. That will help individuals to analyze significant change. He said that in 60’, the fast growth in the sector was witnessed in the country but in 70’ and in the early years of 21 century, it showed a declining trend. He also stressed the need to make reforms at micro level that will help make the development in the area. He added that the slow agriculture becomes a reason of increase in employment. Keeping in view, it is need of the hour to step up efforts for the development in the sector. He also stressed the need to ensure the formal education across the country. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said Agricultural Policy Centre is being set up at the campus to flourish the sector. The centre will give suggestions about the agricultural policy to the government. He said that the research portfolio was only Rs 400 million a half decade ago which has now reached to the level of around Rs 2000 million. He said that the because of hardworking on the part of university employees, the UAF had emerged to 158 number in the world. Dr Stev said that they main focuses are water, agricultural development, poverty alleviation in Pakistan. It is a four- year project. He also said that they will work with UAF on the agricultural issues of the country. Director Institute of Agricultural Economics Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, ORIC Director Prof Dr Asif Ali, and Director External Linkages Dr Ashfaq Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.