APO workshop concludes

LAHORE: The four-day international workshop aimed at promoting understanding of the latest technologies and measures for mechanisation in agriculture, policies and frameworks to support mechanization on small farms, and improving agricultural productivity concluded on Thursday.

The workshop was arranged by the National Productivity Organization (NPO) in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan, a statement said. Resource speakers Takashi Fujimori from Japan, Isara Chaopisit from KASETSART University, Thailand, and Mahmood Riaz, Director Design and Development at Agricultural Mechanization Research institute Multan, Pakistan.

Guest of honour, Ahmed Sohail, Director General Agriculture (field), government of Punjab said they are working on taxes and duties to facilitate the agricultural sector and farmers as the economy cannot grow in the presence of such issues.

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar lauded the role of APO in the development of Asia-pacific region, and added it was time to revitalise our commitment to achieve its vision of inclusive and innovation-led productivity growth in the region.

Working in tandem with APO, Pakistan will be able to find solutions to long-standing productivity issues, he added. APO Tokyo Programme Officer Toshinori Mitsunanga expressed his gratitude to the government for its efforts to continue the productivity movement and apprised the participants about the APO’s journey of success stories and major achievements in the region.

CEO NPO, Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry thanked guests and participants for their presence adding that agri mechanisation has the potential to encourage youth to become involved in the sector and support small-scale growers.