Muhammad Saleem

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) is helping Sahiwal and Okara farmers to boost potato productivity. Shehryar Ahmed from UAF told WealthPK that Pakistani farmers can secure a better future through improved skills, quality seeds, and strong support systems. He said that the UAF is striving to elevate the agriculture sector to the next level. “Without equipping our farmers with modern knowledge and tools, we cannot make them productive,” he emphasised.

Ahmed said that the partnership between UAF and the farmers of Sahiwal and Okara will demonstrate what can be achieved when science meets the soil. He said a couple of weeks ago, the UAF’s Constituent College Depalpur, Okara, in collaboration with the Chamber of Food and Agriculture, organised the National Potato Congress on potato crop production and its challenges.

He said that through the congress, UAF strived to bring together key stakeholders to develop a regulatory framework for enhanced potato production technology and resolve critical challenges the agriculture sector is facing. “This initiative also aims to boost the national economy and ensure sustainable potato farming,” he added. Ahmed said that prominent experts, industry leaders, and a wide range of farmers – from progressive to smallholders –were invited to the congress to share theoretical insights with practical findings.

Dr Tahir Munir, Principal of the UAF Constituent College, said they are supporting agricultural advancements, particularly through its community development centre. He said that UAF is committed to building capacity of farmers. He said the congress discussed modern and innovative techniques to increase potato yield, effective pest and disease management strategies, soil preparation practices, the impact of climate change on production, and the importance of crop rotation.

“Strategies for market stability and price regulation were also explored, coupled with various government initiatives supporting the agriculture sector,” he added. Rashid Hussain, a farmer who also attended the congress, told WealthPK that Sahiwal and Okara districts are known for farming, particularly potatoes. He said the soil in both the districts is fertile, and the farmers are hardworking. “However, many of them are still stuck in a rut, using outdated farming methods that no longer produce effective results.”

With the help and guidance of the UAF faculty, he said farmers will be able to apply modern cultivation methods in their fields. “This is an era of technological advancements, and science should not stay confined to laboratories — it must help farmers stay productive,” he added. Hussain emphasised that sharing modern farming knowledge with farmers is crucial amid rapidly changing cultivation practices. He said that many farmers who attended the congress believed they could finally move beyond the traditional farming practices taught by their elders.

“An on-farm visit by UAF faculty would help farmers resolve their issues.” “Believe it or not, many farmers are still unaware of basic soil testing procedures, which are vital for applying fertilizers following actual soil needs. Climate change is severely impacting the agriculture sector and altering traditional cultivation patterns,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk