Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) visited Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Chakwal on February 18, 2013 to witness the Farmers’ Day organized to encourage the Olive Cultivation.

The basic purpose of this Day was to educate the farmers on different issues regarding Olive Cultivation. While addressing on the occasion, Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad said that cultivation of olive is new field with great potential and emphasized on the importance of olive and olive cultivation in the area. He appreciated the efforts of BARI in developing the olive cultivation in the area and assured the institutional support of PMAS-AAUR for the developmental initiatives of olive and its cultivation. He stressed for holding such events on regular basis for the socio economic development of the region. He hoped that both institutes will work together in making every effort to promote olive cultivation in the country.

On the occasion, Sardar Mumtaz Khan Tamman, MNA, Dr. Noor-ul-Islam Director General,  Agricultural Research,  Dr. Mubarik Ali, Chief Executive, Pakistan Agricultural Research Board, Dr. Muhammad Tariq Director, BARI and Dr. Muhammad Ashraf from ICARDA also address the farmers.

PMAS-AAUR, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad with dignitaries also inaugurated the tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at BARI’s lawn.  Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor said that a greener environment is vital to a healthy nation. He maintained environment friendly plants must be preferred for plantation to ensure a pollution free environment.

The Vice Chancellor also visited Izhar Farms at Talagang having olive and grape plants. He appreciated the farm administration for their work and assured his full cooperation in terms of research on the olive production by the University faculty. The Vice Chancellor was of the view that the modern drip irrigation system used by the farm is need of the hour and university will assist the farmers establishing such farms in the region.

Dr. Niaz further suggested the Agricultural Engineers should come forward to consider the value addition of various agricultural produce to harness optimum economic benefits of the farms. He categorically mentioned that increase in agricultural inputs can only be addressed by value addition of the farm produce at the level of international standards and exporting the same in Middle East and other countries.