TOBA TEK SINGH: Agriculture specialists have recommended the promotion of latest trend, such as precision agriculture, at the national level in order to boost production and address food security issues.

At the Centre for Advanced Studies Auditorium, the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, (UAF) hosted a session on contemporary agriculture. The session was presided by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

PMAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamaruz Zaman, progressive farmer Afaq Tawana, and Canadian scientists Dr Gurjit Singh Singh, Dr Aitazaz Farooque, and Tarandeep Randhawa also spoke.

Prof Dr Iqrar said that the country faced the worst flood for which the UAF was mapping out a plan to revamp agriculture. He said that modern agriculture techniques are the need of the hour to ensure food security.

Prof Dr Qamar said that precision farming uses modern technologies to improve crop quality and profitability. It optimizes the use of resources. Therefore, this agricultural management system contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture.

Afaq Tiwana said the country lacks precision agriculture and biotechnology. He said that it is an era of technology and we have to move towards mechanization.

Dr Gurjit Singh said that a precise farm management approach uses smart technologies to ensure that crops and soil receive exactly what they need.

Aitazaz Farooque said that the world population would reach 9.7 billion in 2050. He said we have to move to autonomous robotics, zero-carbon emissions, and profitable farming.

Tarandeep Randhawa said that they had developed a prototype and added that precision agriculture is the way forward for improvement.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2022