International seminar on “Smart Farming''

FAISALABAD November 13: The University of Florida, US, and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their research and educational ties as a step towards agricultural development. The memorandum was signed by Director Tropical Research and Education Center, Florida University Prof Dr. Edward A. Evans and Vice Chancellor UAF Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali. In this regard, an international seminar on “Smart Farming: ” was organized under the auspices of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering and Technology, UAF. Addressing the seminar, Dr. Edward A Evans said that the both institutions are uniquely positioned to shape the future of agriculture across continents. He said that smart farming are not just tools—but pathways to more efficient, resilient and climate-smart farming systems. He said that they were committed to serving this partnership administratively and technically as collaboration is the cornerstone to progress have a special place in shaping the future of agriculture. He said that agriculture is facing various challenges including climate change, water, soil fertility, insects, for which joint efforts will help overcome these challenges. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Zulfiqar Ali said that national and international institutions will have to make joint efforts to ensure food security. He said that the agreement with the University of Florida will prove to be a milestone through which various challenges can be overcome by benefiting from each other's experiences. He said both Pakistan and the United States were facing various agricultural problems including climate change, soil fertility etc. He said that by promoting smart agriculture, we can reduce production costs and ensure rational use of resources. He said Precision agriculture technologies and their implementation are transforming modern farming systems. Dr Haimanote Bayabil from Florida University talked about the precision water management : advances in soil hydrological monitoring and AI Application. Dean Faculty of Agriculture Engineering Prof Dr Anjum Munir said by integrating data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), smart farming enables informed decision-making, efficient resource utilization, and improved crop yields. In an era of resource constraints and increasing food demand, precision water management, hydroponics, UAV-based crop monitoring, and smart mechanization techniques offer new avenues for enhancing productivity while safeguarding natural resources. Dr Rai Niazi called for promoting water saving techniques for agriculture. Prof Dr. Adnan Shahid said that in the face of climate change, these digital innovations play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring resilience, and reducing environmental pressures. He said that this seminar will bring together nations to achieve food security. Dr. Muhammad Zaman, Dr. Saddam and Director External Liaisons Dr. Muhammad Tahseen Azhar also spoke on the occasion, while scientists from China spoke online.