HYDERABAD, Nov 8: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has stressed the need for the promotion of dairy farming and cattle breeding for the development and progress of the province.

The governor, who is also the chancellor of universities of Sindh, was addressing the 16th senate meeting of the Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, here on Thursday.

He said that notwithstanding financial constraints, the government was making concerted efforts for development of the agriculture sector.

He said the government had already started distribution of land among the agriculture graduates for their self-employment in the sector. He hoped that this step will not only help reduce unemployment in the province but will also go a long way in development of the agriculture sector.

He said efforts were also afoot to motivate the people for the development of dairy farming. He pointed out that following the closure of two milk plants in Sindh, no other plant had been set up in the province due to inadequate supply of milk and added that efforts were being made to restart these plants.

He said that the relevant organisations had been advised to motivate the people for the development of livestock to operate milk plants in an effective manner.

Referring to the affairs of the agriculture university, the governor regretted that no new varieties of agriculture seed had been evolved nor had any efforts been undertaken to improve the irrigation system, which he added were the main sources for the development of agriculture.

He urged the agriculture scientists to work in this direction with commitment to improve the quality of life of the rural population.

Governor Soomro also stressed the need for an inter-action between the agriculture experts, research scholars and farmers for the better use of latest technologies.

He said the government fully respected the teaching community and added that the teachers were expected to provide proper guidance to students to enable them to shoulder the responsibilities for the development and progress of Pakistan and Sindh.

He said dedicated efforts were needed to improve the quality of education in the higher seats of learning, especially in the agriculture university, the only one of its type in the province.

He also called upon the university administration to evolve a comprehensive strategy for running the university in proper manner.

He called upon the administration to prepare short, mid and long-term plans for making the university one of the best universities of the country.

The governor made it clear that because of financial stringency, the government was not in a position to provide maximum financial assistance to the university. He advised the university administration to get in touch with the philanthropists and other donors for completing different projects of the institution.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor Dr. Bashir Ahmed Chandio in his address of welcome, dwelt at length on the progress made by the university and underlined the problems faced by the institution.

SENATE MEETING: The university senate at its 16th meeting approved the six-point agenda out of nine after prolonged discussions.