UAF NEWS

Pakistan is among the bottom countries in the Human Development Index as it is standing at 150th number out of 189 countries.

It was discussed at International seminar on improving agriculture extension under the project titled Improving Agriculture Extension in Pakistan through Communication for Development. It was arranged by Institute of Agri Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with USAID; Ohio State University, USA; and HEC at New Senate Hall. Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said that we have to put a special focus on the human development to fight the challenges of the modern era and to increase the per capita income. Talking about agriculture, he said that it is need of the hour to adopt modern agriculture trends to boost up the productivity. He said that as many as 85 percent of farming community consists of small farmers. If we will be able to facilitate them and to convince adopt latest techniques, it will help alleviate the poverty. He said that effective communication skills are vital for extension workers . Ohio State University Professor Robert Agunga said that 65 percent of the population in Pakistan was below 30 years old. We have to take the special measurers on them to make them effective and skilled member of the society that will lead the country towards prosperity. He said that the under the project, they were aimed at strengthening extension capacity in development and communication training at field. They will organize the stallholder famer, youth and women organization. He said that their objectives are increase smallholder productivity through participation and empowerment. Institute of Agri Extension and Rural Development UAF Director Dr Khalid Mehmmod said that they effective community technique are vital to motivate the farming community about the latest trends. He said that all possible measures are taken to transform the latest agricutlrue information among the arming community . Dr Badar Nadeem Siddiqui, Chairman Agriculture Extension Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and UAF’s Dr Babar Shahbaz and Dr Shoukat Ali also spoke on the occasion.