Researchers called for innovation-led, inclusive and resource-efficient reforms during a policy roundtable organized by the Agri. Policy, Law and Governance Center (APLGC), University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

FAISALABAD, July 24: Researchers called for innovation-led, inclusive and resource-efficient reforms during a policy roundtable organized by the Agri. Policy, Law and Governance Center (APLGC), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, under the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) R&D cluster on Public Policy and Economic Development. The roundtable, titled “Transforming Agricultural Policy: Aligning Institutions, Markets, and Innovations for Resilient and Competitive Agriculture,” was initiated and moderated by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Kamran, Director APLGC. Prof. Dr. Ir. Rudi Febriamansyah of Universitas Andalas, Indonesia, participated as the international speaker and shared Indonesia’s experience of food-security policy, irrigation management, farmer cooperatives and agricultural extension. It was agreed that there is a need to shift policy approaches from crop productivity to climate resilient cropping patterns, well functioning markets and public-private sector partnership for innovations. The experience of support price, subsidies and extension service in both countries was also discussed. The participants discussed on renewed role of public sector institutions and markets considering nature of challenges and opportunities. Other experts included Dr. Raza Ullah, Dr. Qaiser Abbas, Dr Azhar Abbas, Dr. Samee, Dr. Jawaria Nasir, and Ms. Ammara Azam. The event was well attended by faculty and students. Participants agreed that Pakistan and Indonesia could benefit from academic collaboration, joint projects, exchange programs and comparative policy analysis to learn from experience.