RAWALPINDI, April 28: Pakistani scientists should devise methods for increasing agriculture production according to international standards and without damaging environment or compromising on quality.

This was stated by Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind here on Wednesday. He was inaugurating a three-day international workshop on 'Intensive Farming and Integrated Resource Management: Traditional and Non- Traditional Approaches' organized by the University of Arid Agriculture (UAAR), Rawalpindi. A large number of foreign and local experts are participating in the event which will conclude on April 30.

Mr Rind said it was a challenge for local scientists to use non-traditional agricultural methods without disturbing the biodiversity of the country. The balanced use of water, fertilizers and pesticides was the only and best way to skyrocket productivity without damaging environment. Intensive farming was necessary for food security. But, maintaining quality of agricultural products was unavoidable, he added.

Though, the minister said, it was an uphill task for scientists to achieve agricultural targets as per international standards. But, he said he was hopeful and optimistic about the potential of local experts who were striving to introduce innovative methods in the agriculture sector.

The UAAR vice-chancellor, Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan, said at present the country was facing issues in economic and media sectors. He said agriculture could play a vital role in boosting national economy.

The university, he said, was striving to invite experts from abroad to share their experiences with local experts in the field. Besides, the university had started a student exchange programme with educational and research institutions abroad and was extensively collaborating with non-governmental organizations in this regard.

He also reiterated that the university would hold such types of workshops and seminars in future for morale boosting of its faculty members. In his keynote address, Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik also discussed in detail the impact of new technologies on agricultural products.

Mr Malik said despite the fact that the country's economy was based on agriculture, this sector's contribution was just 24.5 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP). He said as much as 80 per cent of the water resources were consumed by the agriculture sector.

Besides, our existing water resources are better than many other countries. However, due to the mismanagement of irrigation system added by new pest diseases and excessive use of pesticides had made our agriculture sector crippling in terms of quality as well as quantity of products. The situation could be ameliorated through the introduction of genetic engineering and water management.