LAHORE: Punjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah says that prioritising modern agricultural farming will help boost rural economy.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a four-day 18th Honey Bee Training Workshop, organised by Punjab University Institute of Zoology, Honey Bee Research Garden in collaboration with the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation, Hailey College of Commerce and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) at the Zoological Museum on Monday.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Asif Bilal Lodhi was also present.

Prof Shah said that farmers in Pakistan are growing grains by investing a lot of capital, but they are sold at a low price in the market. “If this situation remains and the problems of farmers are not solved, wheat will also have to be imported in the future,” he cautioned. He said that farmers do the work of production, which Allah loves, and we should respect them and provide them with facilities.

He said that agriculture is an important sector along with industrialization, artificial intelligence, data science and technology while more profits can be earned by promoting corporate farming.

He said that honey is the best food which also cures many diseases and cities are expanding and agricultural land is shrinking due to lack of facilities in villages. He said that it is necessary to provide awareness for kitchen gardening so that natural products can be promoted. He congratulated the organizers on the successful workshop.

He said that students will get an opportunity to learn from the experiences of farmers, researchers, experts and teachers participating in this workshop.

Mr Lodhi said that the government is playing its role in solving the problems faced by universities and farmers and providing legal support. He said that Pakistan is a talented and resource-rich country, for whose development and progress everyone has to work together.

Socrates Aman Rana said that steps are being taken to promote industries in the country according to the vision of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and they are also providing facilities to increase the production capacity of honey. He said that they are trying to provide modern facilities to farmers and promote entrepreneurship.

Ghulam Sarwar,Dr Nabila Roohi and Dr Abdul Majid Khan also spoke.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025