Self-sufficiency in the production of edible oil can help the country to save $ 3 billion annually, said UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

Self-sufficiency in the production of edible oil can help the country to save $ 3 billion annually, said UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. He was talking to a team of 19th Senior Management Course, National Management College, Lahore which visited the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and called on Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at Syndicate Room. The delegation was led by Tariq Najeeb Najmi Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that country was importing edible oil worth $ 3 billion. Tangible steps are needed to promote cultivation of oil seed crops among the farming community, he said, adding that it is the second largest import after the fossil fuel. He said that the country consumption of edible oil is increasing by two to three annually which can further raise import bill. He was of the view that enhanced level of understanding of the farming community with modern tools was vital to compete with the rest of the world. Talking about water issue, he said that water security was one of the major issues as Pakistan was held in the list of red zone in water availability index. He said water crisis was worsening and hampering the food security in the country. The production for one kg of rice takes 4,000 litre of water that is not suitable in the current scenario.He said that although the country was one of the producer of milk but per animal milk production was very low, which is barring the farming community to get the fruits. Talking about agriculture land, he said agricultural land has reduced because of industrialization and increasing population. Talking about the UAF, he said that as many as many as around 24,000 students were studying at the campus while the number was only 900 in 1961 when the college was elevated to the status of university. He said UAF research portfolio has touched to Rs 2.5 billion which is the record in the history of the varsity.