Call to promote AI to enhance efficiency in modern agriculture

FAISALABAD: As the world battles food insecurity, speakers of intentional seminar at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) called for promoting Artificial Intelligence in modern agriculture to enhance efficiency, productivity and sustainability

They said this during the inaugural session of D-8 Bioinformatics Bootcamp 2025, two-weeks hands-on training in computational Genomics and International Seminar on AI Cultivation: Shaping the Modern Age of Agriculture, at Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS), UAF.

The event was organised by the D-8 Research Centre for Agriculture and Food Security, Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, and Food and Biotechnology Research Centre PCSIR, Lahore, bringing together experts from D-8 countries to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational genomics in agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, D-8 High Commissioner, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HE Ahmed Amjad Ali said that the world was transforming at an unprecedented pace, driven by rapid advancements in technology and innovation. In such times, platforms like this provide us a valuable opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, he added.

It would not only enhance mutual collaboration but also significantly strengthen our research capacities, he maintained. He said that by sharing knowledge and expertise, we can collectively tackle the emerging global challenges.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that recent economic survey indicates declining production of our major crops like wheat, maize, cotton and rice. He said we had to think about research which was relevant in the current circumstances. He said that record show that data was present but often underutilization. He also highlighted that frequently changing weather patterns and water scarcity were further threatening agricultural productivity. He said that it was need of the hour to act swiftly and wisely to turn research into real solutions for our farmers. He said that the data was available we can to get benefit from it. He added that the university was actively working on precision agriculture and having super computer facility as well.

Prof Dr Wu Jun from Guangzhou Institute of Software Application China said that China Pak AI Smart Agriculture Laboratory at UAF was a shining example of our strong scientific cooperation, aiming to bring innovative solutions to agriculture.