HYDERABAD, Nov 26: Agricultural experts have called for greater involvement of specialists in the process of taking decisions on matters relating to agricultural development in the country.

They were speaking at a national conference on agricultural and animal sciences. The theme of the conference was: 'Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Road Map to Progress'. The conference was organized by the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam.

About 100 research papers were presented at the conference. The conference urged the government to constitute a national commission on agriculture to review the agricultural policy.

It recommended linkages between teaching, research and extension and effective coordination between all relevant departments for utilization of human and natural resources at national and provincial level.

It recommended a strong case for research in all sub-sectors of agriculture in the country and strategies for land resources management, crop production technology, water resources management, environment, integrated pest management, animal husbandry and poverty alleviation.

The conference recommended development of technologies to improve soil organic matter and fertility levels to combat soil and environmental degradation. It stressed the need for balanced use of fertilizers and integrated nutrient management practices involving mineral as well as organic sources of nutrition.

It recommended intensive research to identify nutrient disorders in fruit trees, capacity building for micro nutrient research and development particularly in Sindh and Balochistan.

The conference recommended regular monitoring of water quality, revision of cropping pattern and irrigation schedules, substituting low delta crops, exploitation and monitoring of ground water, sinking of shallow skimming wells, storage tanks, pressurised irrigation system and growing of salt tolerant crops, shrub trees and grasses in seriously affected water logging and salinity areas.

It recommended that an awareness campaign should be launched regarding the quality of water-suitable for drinking; for agriculture and industrial use. It sought legislation for the safe disposal of municipal industrial and agricultural effluents and for the protection of fresh water bodies.

It called for research studies to ascertain the need for the restoration of eco-system, natural habitats and bio-diversity in the coastal areas. The conference recommended the rational use of pesticides, establishment of residue analysis laboratories in each province and introduction of one semester course on IPM at B.Sc level.

The conference called for formulation of a breeding policy, improvement in reproductive efficiency and animal husbandry practices on commercial farms, complete evaluation of animal genetic resources with a focus on indigenous breeds, promotion of animal and poultry feed industry in the private sector.

It recommended promotion of hay and silage making to ensure supply of nutritious feed during feed shortages and introduction of feed wagon service and feed bank godowns to combat feed shortages.

The conference recommended the establishment of milk collection centres with chilling units and milk powder plants and meat processing units in Thar, Kohistan and Sukkur and improvement in existing slaughter houses.