Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research said that proper storage of rainwater in the form of farm ponds will provide an additional source of water to farmers which will not only ensure timely availability of water but also improve the livelihood of farmers. The federal minister said this while visiting Research Farm of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi on the invitation of Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of Arid Agriculture University on September 27, 2013.

The minister appreciated the rainwater harvesting program of the university and emphasized the significance of water availability for agriculture land. The federal minister also stated that adequate management of rainwater particularly during the monsoon spells will also reduce the flood risks in addition to providing agricultural benefits and recharging of groundwater.

Mr. Bosan also highlighted the issue of food security and stressed upon the use of modern and innovative agriculture techniques for enhancing agricultural yield and becoming self sufficient in food production in order to cater to the needs of burgeoning population of the country.      

Earlier, federal minister examined the Rain Water Harvesting Pond of the university and planted various fruit plants of citrus, olive and fig. The minister also inaugurated Grape Vine Plantation Campaign near main gate of the university research farm at village Koont. The federal minister also performed the groundbreaking ceremony regarding construction of Boys/girls Hostel at the University Research Farm.

“Climate change, global warming, disasters and conflicts, harmful substances, lack of environmental governance, inadequate ecosystem management and poor resource management were also augmenting the problem of food security. Therefore, conventional agriculture, which has almost reached its optimum attainable level, should be replaced with research and knowledge driven agriculture in order to attain food sufficiency”, emphasized the minister, while addressing the farmers, students and faculty members of Arid University at Farmer’s Training Hall situated at University Research Farm.     

Mr. Bosan also appreciated the efforts and developments being made by the University for socio-economic Uplift of the forming community with special emphasis on rain-fed agriculture in the country. 

Earlier, PMAS-AAUR, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, gave a brief presentation about Rain Water Harvesting, its benefits and suggested the techniques of water harvesting to overcome the problem of water scarcity. He was of the opinion that rainwater harvesting is highly beneficial for sustainable agriculture in rain fed areas and will help in mitigating the current water scarcity problems.

He informed the gathering that there is a lot of potential in the region of Pothwar and Fruit industry can become a big industry of the area, if we work on it. He emphasized the significance of orchards for the agricultural economy of Pakistan and said that high value agricultural products will help to generate better income for farmers in the country, if exported to other markets.

 He urged the scientists of the University to play their role to create awareness in farming community about the latest techniques in the agriculture and insisted that the farmers should adopt the latest techniques of production and value addition in their produce, so that they can earn more and export as well. The progress of the country can be made only by the development in agriculture sector, he added.

He highlighted the significance of close collaboration among the organizations and said that for the uplift of Pothwar region Arid University is working with different R&D organizations of Agriculture Department in the field of research, livestock, range management, animal breeding  & genetics, wildlife and fisheries to find solutions, problems faced by farmer community. University is also working on the joint research/development projects with other organizations/institutes to accelerate the production of plant nurseries of olive, grapes, citrus & other fruits for the purpose of research, education and supply to the farmers, he added.

In the meeting representative of ICARDA, Soil Conservation, Agriculture Department, BARI Chakwal, ABAD, Punjab Agri. Extension Department, Institute of Space Technology and NRSP were also present on the occasion.