Agricultural experts on Friday said knowledge-based economy and problem-solving agricultural researches were prerequisite to address the issues of the sector and to alleviate poverty .

Agricultural experts on Friday said knowledge-based economy and problem-solving agricultural researches were prerequisite to address the issues of the sector and to alleviate poverty . They addressed the Council for Research and Policy and third round of the research grants under US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The meeting was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while renowned agriculture expert Dr Kauser Abdullah Malik, Director General Punjab Extension Dr Anjum Ali Bhuttar, Director General Agriculture Research Punjab Dr Abid Mehmood, Dr Nancy from UC Davis, USA and other notables also attended the meeting. The meeting also identified 13 priority research-able areas of the agriculture under USPCAS five chairs including precision agriculture, outreach, bio technology, climate changes and agricultural policy. It will be advertised soon. Addressing on the occasion, Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan called for enhanced efforts and tangible research work to lead change process and to lead the industry. He said that the under the USPCAS, the commissioned researches were being carried under the competitive process that would help uplift the sector He added that the agriculture sector was under the grip of the different problems including low per acre production, water scarcity, stagnation in the major crops, high post harvest losses, lack of mechanization and reducing soil fertilizer. He added that the Punjab Agriculture policy was being revamped that will uplift the sector and and alleviate the poverty . . He said that ever increasing population and diminishing agriculture land were posing threats for which we have to adopt the measures. He added that the scientists should come with viable solutions to make the agriculture sector sustainable and profitable. Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik stressed upon the need to develop two-way scientists’ exchange program for the joint researches with the different countries. He said that agriculture was facing numerous issues for which it is need of the hour to expedite the efforts. Dr Anjum Ali Bhuttar stressed upon the need to initiative awareness drams about new agricultural methods in the rural areas as a tool of extension. He said that dramas are very popular in the rural population and awareness through these drama will bring tangible results. Dr Abid Mehmood said that all possible measures being taken to increase the productivity and ensure the food security. Dr Nancy said that effective monitoring and evaluation of the projects would bring the tangible results.