FAISALABAD, March 13: University of Agriculture Vice-Chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmed has urged to evolve target-oriented policies to meet food requirements of the country and face challenges posed to the agrarian economy after the implementation of the WTO regime.

Speaking to a function of the Agrarian Society of Pakistan held at the University auditorium here on Saturday, the vice-chancellor said that Pakistan had been spending huge funds in defence sector to keep stable the balance of power in the region.

But after the implementation of the WTO regime, he said the country would have to battle 200 nations only in the agriculture sector for which not only huge money was required but also effective policies on war-footings.

He claimed that 24 percent of the total income and 80 percent of our exports had directly or indirectly depended on the agriculture sector. He said it was a clear proof that we could neither achieve self-sufficiency in food nor compete in the international market without modernizing the agrarian economy.

The University was making frantic efforts to provide guidelines and policies to the government to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity, he added.

SHOW: The Horse and Cattle Show will be held on Sunday (today) at Sehgal Farm on Samundri Road under the arrangements of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (Sadar).

Tehsil Nazim Muhammad Afzal, the chief guest, will inaugurate the ceremony. A number of variety programmes, competition of tent-pegging, horse dance, bull-carts race and other colourful functions will be held on the occasion.