Leading agricultural experts have issued a powerful call for unity, declaring that a combined effort from all sectors is essential to safeguard Pakistan's food security. This urgent message was delivered during a key meeting of the Regional Agriculture Forum for Central Punjab, held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
A Unified Front for a Critical Mission
The forum, which represents the major agricultural divisions of Faisalabad, Lahore, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, and Gujrat, convened under the chairmanship of UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali. The gathering brought together a high-profile group of stakeholders, including Chief Scientist Wheat from AARI Dr Javed Ahmad, Director Agriculture Extension Faisalabad Khalid Mehmood, and senior UAF officials like Dean Agriculture Dr Ghulam Murtaza and Registrar Dr Asif Kamran.
The central conclusion was unequivocal: collaborative efforts on the part of academia, research, extension services, the farming community, and industry are imperative. An integrated approach is no longer an option but a necessity to address the growing challenges of food production and sustainability.
Blueprint for Action: From Fields to Markets
The meeting moved beyond discussion to outline concrete steps. Participants agreed to launch enhanced capacity-building programs and intensify crop-wise collaborative efforts involving all stakeholders. A significant practical measure will be the joint establishment of demonstration fields to showcase modern agricultural technology directly to farmers.
Furthermore, the forum strongly advocated for strengthening academic-industry linkages. The focus will be on fostering knowledge sharing, promoting innovation, and crucially, commercializing research and development to ensure scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world benefits for the agriculture sector.
Recognizing Success and Looking Ahead
The assembly took a moment to commend the successful wheat campaign run jointly by UAF and the Extension Department in November 2025, highlighting it as a model of effective partnership. This success story sets a precedent for the kind of coordinated action the forum now seeks to expand across all major crops and regions of Central Punjab.
The consensus at the UAF meeting marks a pivotal shift towards a more cohesive national agricultural strategy. By bridging the gap between researchers, educators, farmers, and business leaders, Pakistan can build a more resilient and productive food system for the future.
