Soil science congress commences at PMAS-AAUR

Rawalpindi

Speakers emphasised the importance of protecting and improving natural resources particular soil for increasing agriculture production in the country. They stressed the need to adopt latest agri-practices and urged upon the agricultural scientists to pace up their work to boost up production in order to feed the increasing population.

They stated this on three-day 16th International Soil Science Congress commenced at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUER), here on Tuesday, under the theme “Healthy Soils for Food Security”.

Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain was the chief guest at the inaugural session while Dr. Muhammad Asharf, chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation, Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, MNA Shizra Munsab were also present. Faculty members of PMAS-AAUR and more than 300 hundreds scientists including federal & provincial policy makers, education, agri. Extension & industry from Pakistan and abroad are attending this congress.

Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, in his address said the economy of a country is heavily dependent on the health of its soils, the productivity of which was resultantly effects its intrinsic characteristics coupled with interaction of external inputs such as water, fertilizer and climate and a host of other factors. “The challenges ahead in the 21st century would undoubtedly be more complex, difficult and numerous in the wake of continued rapid depletion, degradation and pollution of soil resources. Scientific management of soil and water has to continue to play a key role in realizing the yield potential of the modern high yielding crop cultivars. In view of the changing global agricultural scenario, the future of agriculture has to be more knowledge-based,” the minister said.

Minister urged soil scientists to gear up efforts for meeting the future challenges of fulfilling requirements of the country's food security.

Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR in his welcome address highlighted the importance of efficient use of farm inputs and said water shortage for agricultural crops is a major problem faced by farming community. He said the per capita water availability has decreased and Pakistan is among the list of the water scare countries. He said that consistent efforts needed to meet the growing food requirement of the population. He urged the Soil Science Society of Pakistan to play leading role in conservation, land and water resources and guide policy makers in evolving research priorities.