The seminar on Wheat Economy in Pakistan.

Speakers at a seminar on Monday called for mapping out pro-farmers policies; increase subsidies on agriculture and set up Farmers Cooperative. The seminar on Wheat Economy in Pakistan was arranged at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chacnellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Dr Asif Saeed from University of Auckland, New Zealand was the guest speaker on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that strengthened policies would help address the issues of the farming community especially the small farmers. He was of the view that the country was producing sufficient food for its population He said that from the last 15 years, we have become self sufficient in the major crops including wheat. He said that the export of the country was standing at 17 percent while the import is at 11 percent. He said that the wheat is the major sampled food, providing 59 percent protein to the people. He said that the this year will witness one million ton more wheat that will be 25 million ton against the last years achieved target of 24 million tons. He also stressed the need to devise land use policies because fertilize land was being converted into the residential colonies etc. He said that the canal system gave the life to the barren land, turning it to the fertilized land. Dr Asif Saeed Khan said that the wheat economy needs the structural reforms. He also said that stable input markets must be ensured for the food security in the county. He said that the wheat is comprising 36 percent of cropped area in Pakistan. He said that small farmers were suffering and the strengthened policy was required to address their issues. He said that participation of small farmers in the policy making was prerequisite to increase the productivity and to reduce the poverty. He said that the US was providing heavy subsidies to the farming community. In India, farmers and consumers are also getting sufficient subsidy. Prof Dr Abdus Salam said that food security was area of concern. Tangible steps are imperative for the agricultural development. Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Dr Iqbal Zafar said the 58 percent of the population was the food insecure while 50 percent of the children are malnourished. Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization Director Prof Dr Asif Ali said that small farmers comprising 90 percent in the country must be provided state-of-the-art facilities. Dr Zulfiqar said that the country has the potential to get the wheat more than 200 mounds per acre. Dr Upul Gunawardena from Australia; Chairman Department of Entomology Dr Jalal Arif, Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Dr Makhdom from Ayub Research, Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Dr Ashfaq Chatta and other notables also spoke on the occasion.