Graduates asked to take research to agriculture fields

RAWALPINDI, Agriculture-based economy is the future of the country and the graduates in agri-sciences should transfer their research and experiences to farmers for increasing crop production.

Punjab Governor Salman Taseer said this while speaking at the 11th convocation of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University here on Wednesday. Degrees were conferred on 1,456 graduates in different disciplines.

Twenty-eight graduates received gold medals, 16 silver medals and 12 bronze medals, whereas PhD degrees were conferred on 138 scholars (47 in agriculture, 32 in biosciences and 59 in education subjects).

Mr Taseer asked the graduates to put their knowledge into practice to contribute towards economic development, as agriculture sector involved the poorest segments of the society.

“Food and raw material needs of the country can only be met if our agricultural experts practically apply their knowledge in the field,” the governor stressed.The university’s vice chancellor, Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan, in his wel come address said 15 research projects involving a sum of Rs55.039 million were completed, and 39 other projects worth Rs58.849 million were initiated by the administration.

“To provide state-of-the-art learning facilities to both the students and the faculty, a Rs41.121 million project of libraries on the campus has been launched and will be completed next year,” he added.

Dr Khan said seven more development projects worth Rs13.35 millions were running apace that included the Institute of Biotechnology, a new building for the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences as well as facilities at the University Research Farm at Mandra, Chakwal Road.

He said a foreign investor recently donated a hydroponics farm covering an area of 13.5 acres. Estimated cost of the facility is Rs700 million. The farm included five acres of green houses and controlled environment tunnels for production of tomatoes and other vegetables free of pesticides, insecticides and diseases.

After the convocation, the governor inaugurated a flower exhibition on the premises of the university. Various government, semi-government departments and individuals are taking part in the threeday show.

Institutions participating in various categories include Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Allama Iqbal Open University, Institute of Floriculture and Landscape, PAF Hospital, Air Headquarters Unit Islamabad, Islamabad Club, Attock Refineries, BARI Chakwal, Air Guest House, ACL Headquarters Murree, Military Hospiatl Murree; Makkah, Iqbal, Bilal, and Shalimar nurseries; and the Arid Agriculture University (AAU) Rawalpindi.

Flower arrangements and cut-flower categories caught the attention of the visitors soon after the start of the show, which proved an attractive event for people of all age groups.

The flower exhibition was organised by the AAU’s Department of Horticulture and the National Horticulture Society of Pakistan, Islamabad.