A 10-day training workshop entitled “On-farm water management for agriculture officers of Balochistan”

A Balochistan Chair is set to be established at UAF to enable the Baloch students belonging to rural and neglected areas get higher education at UAF and stemming the growing poverty and hunger in the province. The proposed Balochistan Chair will be established with a courtesy of Oman Government. This was announced by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan (SI). He was addressing the farewell dinner hosted at staff club in the honor of participants of a 10-day training workshop entitled “On-farm water management for agriculture officers of Balochistan”. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the country ranks at 4th position in producing date in the world and Balochistan was a major player in this regard so by promoting cottage industry on date preservation and provide training on post-harvest technology, we can uplift the living standard of people and on he other hand, the agricultural production could be enhanced manifold which will bring prosperity in the rural masses. He said UAF was eager to send a team of experts to Balochistan so that tangible benefits could be transferred to the ignored areas of the country. Earlier, Dean Faculty of Agri. Engineering & Technology Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad said the participants of the 10-day training workshop were provided opportunities to personally witness and examine the agricultural technologies for better crop and water management which would certainly enhance their production. National Coordinator FAO Malik Ijaz Hussain Awan said that by virtue of excellent infrastructure facilities and meritorious faculty, FAO selected UAF as resource center adding there were 100 Balochs had been provided hands on training during the last 2 years. He said that initially, we started training programs for agricultural officers of three districts which had been extended to 14 districts of the province which is a hallmark of exuberant commitment and passion of both sides. During the occasion, Baloch farmers Haji Shabir Kurd, Malik Nasib Ihsan, Afzal Kasi, Ehsan and other also spoke on the occasion. Later the chief guest distributed shields and certificates among the course participants.