STAFF REPORT FSD:The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), has set up a website, Zarai Baithak, to help farmers resolve their problems.
“The website has been carried out by the Institute of Agriculture Extension and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture, which would provide an opportunity to farmers to discuss their problems with agricultural experts, said UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan while speaking at a seminar titled ICT-based Agricultural Advisory and Extension in Pakistan.
He said that the agricultural production excluding corn and potato had been stagnant for the last few years. “The population is increasing rapidly… new technologies can be used effectively to increase production,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr Mark Bell of University of California-Davis said that better provision of information to farmers would bring positive changes.
He called for applying integrated approaches regarding modern technologies such as radio, television, mobile phones etc to spread messages among the farmers in order to promote latest agricultural practices.
Dr Tanvir Ali, the Institute of Agri Extension and Rural Development Director, said that significant measures needed to be taken to tackle the problem of food security.
Agriculture Department Information Director Rafique Akhtar said that the government is making efforts to promote latest agriculture practices.