The agricultural productivity of major crops except corn is facing stagnation for last two decades amid ever-increasing population that is raising a question mark on the food security. This was stated by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while chairing the meeting of the Senate, UAF at New Senate Hall.

He urged the researchers to play their professional role to address the challenges of food security and improve the lives of the people. He said that government, farming community and civil society demanded out-of-box solutions to agricultural problems facing the country. It was the matter of the grave concern that the cotton productivity had reduced to 35 percent this year due to climate changes. He urged the scientists to develop climate resilient varieties to cope with emerging challenges of agriculture. He said that Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security UAF had identified ten priority areas for research that will help increase per acre productivity and reduce the post harvest losses . He said that threat of pink bollworm, fruit fly and animal ticks are playing the havoc with cotton, fruits and the livestock production respectively. He said the marketing issue for the commodity were barring the farming community to bear the fruits. He said that the poultry had emerged the largest industry due to cotton failure. The poultry has witnessed the sharp growth for the last two decade.

Talking about UAF, he said that varsity research portfolio had touched to more than 20 million US dollar in 728 research projects. He said that last year, the UAF had singed 118 international and 86 national MoUs which reflect the growing R& D activities of the UAF. He said that last year we have recruited 158 teaching faculty to reduce the student- teachers ratio that will help ensure the quality education. He said the UAF had organized 400 community development events to disseminate the knowledge and skills