The researchers should come up with viable solutions and technology to address the issues of food safety public health, particularly milk and food contamination and farming community.

The researchers should come up with viable solutions and technology to address the issues of food safety public health, particularly milk and food contamination and farming community. It was discussed at the meeting of University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Endowment Fund with UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan in the Chair. The meeting approved 12 research and technology transfer projects . He said that contamination in milk, fruits and vegetables were posing serious health hazard for the public. He said that researchers should come up with the methods and technologies to arrest the contaminations. He said that on the other hand, farming community was also facing serious challenges including low profitability, marketing issue, productivity and sustainability in the sector. He said that the Punjab Government was redesigning Punjab Agri Policy that will address the issues and ensure the uplift and sustainability of the sector. He said that the University had developed a catalogue of 101 innovations meant for uplifting the sector. National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council (NAEAC) Chairman Dr M Ehsan Tasneem stressed upon the need to develop technology for overcoming contamination in food and milk at mass level. He urged the scientists to make all out efforts to address the problems of a common man. He said that agriculture was backbone of our economy that was contributing 21 percent to the gross domestic product. Progressive Farmer Faisal Shah said that we have to put our focus on the small farmers which are facing tremendous problems. He said that climate changes, water scarcity, marketing, post harvesting losses and traditional way of farming are the real issues for the farming community. Director General Endowment Fund Dr Jafar Jaskani said that tangible researches were being conducted to overcome the real issue of the farming community. He said that per acre production of the major crops was low compared to the developed countries. He said that the country was blessed with four seasons and resources. There is the need to tap the potential. Registrar Muhammad Husain said that the university was taking all possible measures to ensure the quality education and research. Treasurer Umer Saeed said that with the heavy pumping the ground water quality was deteriorating, posing a threat to the sector. Dr Amir Saeed Rana and other notables also attended the meeting.