Skilled manpower, problem-solving research and quality education are imperative to root out poverty and unemployment for which geared-up efforts are needed on the part of the individual and society.

Skilled manpower, problem-solving research and quality education are imperative to root out poverty and unemployment for which geared-up efforts are needed on the part of the individual and society. It was echoed by experts at an annual function of University of Agriculture Faisalabad Community College with UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan in the Chair. He showed his concern that despite tangible steps being taken on government, the country was far lagging behind in the literacy rate compared to the developed nations. He urged teaching community to produce committed and skilled manpower that is the guarantee of bright future. Talking about the agriculture, he said that agricultural sector had been facing numerous issues like climate changes, new diseases and low productivity. He called for joint efforts on the part of academia, researchers and farming community for the said cause. He said the production of major crops was facing the stagnation for the last many years. He cautioned if trend continues, the issue of the food insecurity would worsen. He said that the country was blessed with fertile land, talented people, four seasons and natural benefits. If we apply the modern trend to our agriculture, we can not only meet our needs but also earn foreign exchanges. Community College Principal Ijaz Ahmad Bhatti said that the agriculture is the backbone of our economy which was contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that the university was making all out efforts to provide the state-of-the-art facilities to the students. He said that the secret of the development of the societies is in quality education and trained manpower. Director Financial Assistance Dr Hafeez Sadaqat said that the university is providing the scholarship to 40 percent of students in any form of financial assistance at the campus. The UAF was making all out efforts to ensure the quality education by providing modern facilities to the students. Prof Dr Jalal Arif, Dr Ashfaq Mann , Dr Haq Nawaz, Dr Tariq Aziz, Lecturers Rana Kashif, Sobia, and other notables also spoke on the occasion.