Punjab Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed on Friday said massive migration of rural population towards cities is a real challenge that is not only affecting the agricultural production but also aggravating the urban problems and causing slums.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed on Friday said massive migration of rural population towards cities is a real challenge that is not only affecting the agricultural production but also aggravating the urban problems and causing slums. He called on University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at the VC's Chamber. The minister said that the Punjab government was taking all possible measures to curb the massive migration. He said that in this financial year, the Punjab government is spending Rs 15 billion for uplift of the sector right from the field to the markets. He said that the government has mapped out a plan to increase the spending upto Rs 50 billion on the agriculture sector to address food security issue and problems of the farming community. He said that the sector is facing complex challenges including low agricultural productivity, high cost of inputs and water and climate changes issues. He stressed upon joint efforts on the part of scientists, government and other stakeholders for the agricultural uplift in the country. He asked the university to convene a meeting of all stakeholders on the cotton to find out a best variety for increasing per acre yield at par with China. He also reviewed the security arrangements of the varsity. UAF Vice Chancellor said disease-free varieties need to be promoted in the country. He was of the view the cotton varieties having the resistant against Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) is the way to boost up the cotton production. He said that food insecurity was hitting around 60 percent of the population. He said Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security worth 30 million US dollar sponsored by USAID had been established at the UAF. The centre is focused on climate changes, biotechnology, precision agriculture and policy researches. He said that UAF had spent Rs 50 million on the security to ensure the foolproof security. He said that the latest security measures are being taken at the campus.