Wheat Campaign Orientation and sowing.

FAISALABAD November 8: As many as 4,000 students of University of Agriculture Faisalabad under the supervision of experts in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture Extension Department are off to agricultural fields of six divisions of the Punjab. During 9-day wheat campaign from November 8 to November 16 meant to increase per acre productivity by 2 to 3 maunds, students led by experts will visit farmers’ fields to get first-hand knowledge of agricultural issues and disseminate the experts’ recommendations in six divisions of the Punjab. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the campaign would also help the students get first- hand knowledge of on-fields and farming community problems also. He said that it is flagship initiatives in collaboration with Agriculture Extension Department Punjab. He urged the students to work in the field with identity and patience so that they will learn many things from the field experiences. He said that in the drive, they will persuade the farmers about latest practices, certified seeds, balanced usage of fertilizer and others. He said that agriculture on a scientific basis is the need of the hour for agricultural revolution by ensuring increase in per acre production. It is inevitable to bring the latest agricultural technology to the doorstep of the farmers. He said that cooperative like national rural support program is the exemplary work and we have to strengthen farmers cooperative system. Director General Extension Punjab Ch Abdul Hameed said that this year area of 16.5 million acre has been earmarked for wheat sowing Out of which sowing at 4.6 million has been completed. He said that this year sowing time begins one week earlier due to climatic conditions. He said that we have to increase the per acre productivity by 3 maunds that will also increase the farmers income. He said that this year, Punjab government was providing Rs 3500 support price and excessive DG Pest Warning Dr Amer Rasul stressed upon the need to educate the farming community about pest and weed management. He said that It is the part of the drive that will bring tangible results. Director Extension Faisalabad Ch Khalid Mehmood said that all posoible measures were bring to address the farmer’s woes. He added that latest trends dissemination was hallmark to ensure the food security. Dean Agriculture Prof Dr Ghulam Murtaza said that they will visit following division including Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha and Sahiwal. He said that the students of BS (5th and 7th semester) and Postgraduate ( 1st to 3rd) semesters of the faculties including Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Agri. Engr. & Tech and Faculty of Animal Husbandry. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali also inaugurated the wheat sowing on 1000 acre of the university lands.