Youth urged to explore entrepreneurship opportunities in local agriculture and livestock sectors.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam on Friday made this appeal.

Youth urged to explore entrepreneurship opportunities

He called for mobilizing the youth to exploit entrepreneurship opportunities existing in local agriculture and livestock sectors.

In his message on Farmers Day, he termed it prerequisite to attain the goal of sustainable economic development.

Furthermore, Fakhar vowed for investing in research, development and technology advancement in rural areas.

That aims to provide opportunities for youth living there.

Besides, it would help in achieving the self sufficiency in agriculture products and reduce reliance on imported goods.

Moreover, the minister also asked for focusing on innovations and modernization of agriculture sector.

He said it would enhance agro-base through value addition of agriculture products that have brighter scope for talented young boys and girls.

December 18 Farmers Day

The minister underlined December 18 observed as Farmers Day from 2018.

Observance of the day aims to recognize the services of local farmers.

He further highlighted this vital segment of the society as the backbone of economic development.

Besides, he underlined it essential for social prosperity of the country, while contributing about 19.3 percent in local GDP.

Fakhar mentioned out of the total, 60 percent comprising of livestock, 40 percent crops.

He said that five major crops, including wheat, rice, cotton, maize and sugarcane grown over 80 percent of total cultivable area.

Over remaining 20 percent area fruit, vegetables, oil seeds and fodder were grown to tackle with the domestic requirements.

In order to highlight the importance of the day, the minister called for organizing awareness programs at village level to encouraging the educated youth to adopt agriculture sector as carrier and play their role in economic development of the country.

Meanwhile, Member Plant Sciences in National Agriculture Center Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali also commented on the day.

He said that national youth could be involved in agro-industry through introducing of different innovations for value addition of agriculture products and production of high value crops.

Over 100 students trained in National Institute of Genomics and Advance Bio-Technology

Furthermore, he underlined technological advancement and high yielding seeds as vital to enhance farm income and making agri-sector an attractive destination for national youth.

He also highlighted over 100 students both male and female trained in National Institute of Genomics and Advance Bio-Technology (NIGAB).

They got training on tissue culture in order to achieve higher yields of bananas, onions and other crops for not only achieving the self sufficiency but to produce exportable surplus.

GTV