ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said that it is imperative for the country to devise an “e-strategy on agriculture” and introduce technological solutions for maximisation of better crops.
The president expressed these views while chairing a meeting on technology in food security and agriculture at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.
He emphasised the need for adoption of advanced agriculture technologies and best practices that are crucial for enhancing agriculture production and developing Pakistan’s farming industry, besides improving agribusiness in the country.
National Food Security and Research Minister Syed Fakhar Imam briefed the meeting about the advantages of best agriculture practices and steps taken by his ministry for the development of agriculture.
Science & Technology Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain informed the meeting that his ministry would help change the traditional agriculture practices.
In his address, IT & Telecom Minister Syed Aminul Haq told the participants that his ministry would develop apps to help farmers by providing agricultural information and solutions to their problems.
The meeting underlined the need for a collaborative approach IT & Telecom, MoST and National Food Security & Research to address the challenges being faced by the agriculture sector. It was agreed to give a lead role to the Ministry of Food to prepare a roadmap for the modernization of agriculture.
The meeting also emphasised the need to prepare a database of farmers and train human resources, which are key factors to create a digital ecosystem and encourage the use of technology in food security and agriculture through digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the president also chaired a meeting on technology in education and vocational training. Highlighting the significance of technology, he said that digital literacy is essential for promoting education and vocational training.
He underscored the need for providing online skill education and training of human resources with the right skills through distance learning.
Education & Professional Training Minister Shafqat Mahmood briefed the meeting about the steps taken by his ministry in providing online education during Covid-19 pandemic.
The president appreciated the measures taken by the Ministry of Education for promoting distant learning in the country.
Apart from Ministers of MoST and IT, the meeting was also attended by National University of Technology Rector Lt Gen (r) Khalid Asghar and NAVTTC Chairman Syed Javed Hassan.
