Washington State University USA and University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Department of Entomology will further strengthen their academic and research ties and would work together on the pink bollworm projects; faculty- students exchange programs and area of mutual concern.

Washington State University USA and University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Department of Entomology will further strengthen their academic and research ties and would work together on the pink bollworm projects; faculty- students exchange programs and area of mutual concern. It was agreed upon at a meeting held between Washington State University Professor Dr Richard Jack and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. Department of Entomology Chairman Dr Jalal Arif, Dr Khaid Mehmood and Dr Tariq Mustaafa also attended the meeting. Dr Iqrar A Khan said that cotton crop was the back bone of our economy. He said that cotton production has been facing crises for the last two years due to climate change, Pink bollworm and others issues. . He stressed upon need to introduce new short duration variety of cotton crop to get maximum result in a short span. He said that current varieties of cotton are not suitable for machine picking So, we will have to develop the varieties which are favorable for modern technologies. He said that cotton crop of long duration were vulnerable for various diseases and it increases the risk of intensified pink bollworm attack. He added that cotton taking short duration could be able to overcome various diseases. He said that we will have to familiarize farmers with modern technologies in agriculture sector. He said that cooperation between both universities would open up new windows of research to face challenges being faced in the sector. Dr Richard said that both institutions would work jointly to tackle pink bollworm to overcome losses. He called for getting benefit from experiences of each other for the crop increment and for the economic prosperity of rural populations. He added that they were accumulating data on insects which would be helpful in scientific research in future. Chairman Entomology Department Dr Jalal Arif said that Agriculture sector is concrete part of economy of country and it is necessary to upgrade agriculture sector with new technologies and kinds crops. He said that will have to uplift agriculture sector top alleviate poverty He lauded UAF Department of Entomology was making all out efforts to address the issue of the sector. The department is partnered with the Punjab government in the drive against dengue. He said that the UAF was only institution in the country which is ranked among the top 100 universities of the globe.