Agricultural experts on Monday said that agro ecological zones are being redesigned, keeping agricultural sustainability, water scarcity, climate changes, changing weather pattern, soil fertility and deteriorating underground water quality and markets issues in view.
They were talking at a meeting held to redesign the agro ecological zones at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The meeting was chaired by the UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Vice Chancellor Dr Rai Niaz, Director General Ayub Research Dr Abid Mehmood, Director General Extension Anjum Ali Bhuttar, UAF Dean Faculty of Agri Engineering Dr Allah Buksh, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Dr Mubasher Riaz and other notables attended the meeting. Prof Dr Iqrar A Khan said that collaborative work will come up with viable solutions in the shape of recommendation on agro zone that will boost up the agriculture. He showed his concern that rainfall volatility, increased drought and rising temperatures affect crop yields. He said that baseline for the agro-iconological zone had been developed that will help address agricultural issues at the national level. He said that Punjab government was redesigning the agriculture policy to make the agriculture sector sustainable and profitable. He said that China was importing the agricultural produces in which Pakistani export share is negligible. He said with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, new avenue are opened for the country to get its due share in China agricultural market. Dr Rai Niaz said that ground water quality was deteriorating that is posing a threat for increasing agriculture productivity. He was of the view that step-up efforts were needed to address the issue at the national level. He said that the work on the agro zone would be helpful to address the problems of the farming level and to ensure the food security in the country. Dr Abid Mehmood said we have to develop the varieties keeping in view the changing climate as agro zones were changing. If we could not take the measures to fight the challenges, the agricultural sector will face a setback. He said that crops’ shift was being witnessed due to many factors. Dr Allah Buksh said that water scarcity was a daunting challenges for which effective measures are needed. Dr Muhammad Ashfaq said that climate changes were posing a serious threat. Dr Mubasher said that the agro ecological work will pave a way for increasing