Sanaullah calls for roadmap to boost agricultural productivity

FAISALABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affair Rana Sanaullah Khan has said agricultural experts should devise a roadmap, technologies and strategy to double the per acre agricultural productivity.

He was addressing agriculturists and educationists as the chief guest at a welcome reception held at the University of Agriculture in honour of the newly appointed Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, at Iqbal Auditorium. The event was arranged by Academic Staff Association and Staff Club.

He noted that Pakistan’s per acre productivity was lower than the rest of the world. He said that the country was blessed with fertile land and minds. “We have to use the resources to raise the productivity for ensuring food security.”

Talking about defence, he lauded the services and sacrifices of the armed forces to foil the nefarious designs of enemy. He said the armed forces are safeguarding the country with all out efforts and sacrifices and have proven it as one of the best of the armies of the world. He also praised the media and government for presenting the country’s case in an effective manner across the world.

Talking about education, he said that with quality education and skilled manpower, the country can progress rapidly. He also praised the services of Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan for the agricultural and educational uplift and hoped that under his role as the chairman PHEC, the education sector will flourish rapidly.

Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said, “We cannot determine the performances of the universities under one yardstick.” He said there are different types of universities such as agriculture, medical, engineering, general etc and they were performing under different spheres.

He said that there was a need to bring reforms in higher education sector. He added that the universities should come up with local solutions to the problems. He further said that the issues of human behaviours, and professional and skilled manpower must be addressed in the educational institutions. He stressed that private sector has to play an important role in producing skilled manpower.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that during the tenure of Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, the university witnessed massive progress. Now it is the 34th best university in agriculture and forestry as per QS ranking. He said that during his tenure, the enrolment increased to 35,000 from 7000, degree programme from 50 to 180, female enrolment from 25 percent to 52 percent, infrastructure doubled, five sub-campuses, massive faculty development programme, internationalisation, centre for advanced studies, D8 centre, Confucius Institute, Pak Korea Nutrition Centre, Seed centre, hostels, sport complex, women complex and many more established. Dr Ashar Mehfooz also spoke.