Agri-research

We have yet to realise that we survived and progressed economically because of agriculture and our future progress and survival also depend on agriculture. Feeding a fast growing population and agro-based industries requires more agricultural land, scientific research and political will.
In this context, the decision to convert nearly 1,400 acres of experimental agricultural land in Chak Shahzad into a housing scheme will be a big blow to agricultural research, food production priority and the image of the PML-N government. Housing schemes can be launched in every district but agricultural land once lost cannot be redeemed. Moreover, Islamabad is not designed to sustain heavy population influx from rural areas. It is already facing multiple problems like water scarcity, heavy traffic, etc. The PM is requested as patron-in-chief of agricultural research to task NARC with carrying out research in conformity with the Islamabad Master Plan.
M Akram Niazi
Rawalpindi