Secretary Agriculture alongwith UAF Vice Chancellor chairs Ecological Zone meeting

Punjab Agriculture Secretary Muhammad Mahmood on Saturday said that agro-ecological zones were being redesigned and redefined that will help uplift the sector amid the daunting challenges including water scarcity, soil fertility, and climate changes. He chaired a meeting on ecological zones at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Director General Ayub Research Dr Abid Mehmood, PARB Chairman Dr Noorul Islam, Dr Khalid Mehmod, UAF Dean Faculty of Agri Engineering Dr Allah Bukhsh, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Dr Mubasher Riaz and other notables attended the meeting. The Punjab Agriculture Secretary directed the meeting to make all possible measures to redefine agro-ecological zones keeping the changing climate, water scarcity and decreasing soil fertility in view. He urged agricultural researchers to come up with viable policy solutions to different problems facing the agriculture sector to make agriculture profitable. He said that agro-ecological zones redesigning will recommend farmers to grow the crops which are suitable and comparatively productive in their areas. He said that the water scarcity is worsening that would pose a threat for the agricultural sector. He said that the country was blessed with four seasons, and fertile land system but we could not reap the fruits from its potential. He said that government was making all out efforts to address the problems of the farming community. He was of view that awareness must be created among the farming community about the modern agro based technologies He said that the Punjab government was revamping agricultural policy with the special focus on farmers to address their problems that will untimely increase the productivity and help alleviate poverty. He said that government was taking all possible steps for the development of the agricultural sector that is directly linked to the poverty alleviation Prof Dr Iqrar A Khan said that collaborative work will come up with viable solutions in the shape agro zone that will boost up the agriculture. He sisd that amid the climate changes, there is rainfall volatility, increased drought and rising temperatures which is affecting crop yields. He said that if we could not take the timely decision, the situation will aggravate in the years to come. He said that Punjab government was redesigning the agriculture policy to make the agriculture sector sustainable and profitable. Dr Rai Niaz said that ground water quality was deteriorating that is posing a threat for agriculture productivity. He was of the view that step-up efforts were needed to address the issue at the national level. He said that the work on the agro zone would be helpful to address the problems of the farming level and to ensure the food security in the country. Dr Abid Mehmood said we have to develop the varieties keeping in view the changing climate as agro zones were changing. If we could not take the measures to fight the challenges, the agricultural sector will face a setback. He said that crops’ shift was being witnessed due to many factors.