Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The hydroponic system of growing is the only answer to country’s ever-increasing food requirements in the wake of massive population growth in the last few years, said Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).

Hydroponics is a new technology in agriculture sector which will open more dimensions in the agriculture sector and Pakistan can get agriculture production by even utilizing its mountains, deserts and barren areas, the vice chancellor said in an exclusive talk with Daily Times.

Stressing the need to create awareness among the farming community and implementation of the technology in Pakistan, the VC said indigenous hydroponic/soil less system designed by PMAS-AAUR can prove to be a milestone in increasing the capability of agro products for up to 40 times. “Indigenous hydroponics system can give the same yield as European hydroponics system, but its cost is 100 times lower than the European system. Through traditional means, farmers get five to seven tons in tunnels but through this system, production can go up to 300 tons with a potential yield of 500 tons per acre,” he said.

The vice chancellor said hydroponics system, in which cultivation is done by feed and water under a specific process by controlling climate into favorable conditions, can surely lead the agriculture sector towards a fruitful direction. He said safe, nutritious, delicious and high-quality vegetables and fruits with enormous nutritional value and marvelous taste can be grown in a healthy environment.

He urged the educational institutes and other organizations to work together to play their role for raising awareness about the technology so that farming community can get maximum benefits and better returns of their produce.

The vice chancellor said his university is establishing 12 indigenous hydroponics units at various locations in Punjab under the project titled “Testing Indigenous Hydroponic Greenhouse for Vegetable Growing” funded by Punjab Agriculture Department. The project comprises of establishing six hydroponic greenhouses at different institutions aimed at training of trainers while six greenhouses at farmers’ premises in various districts of Punjab aimed at “Seeing is Believing” for the extension of this technology, he said, and added that training of 200 farmers was being conducted under the project which includes lessons on greenhouse erection, crop sowing, crop management and harvesting of fruit.

About the role of his university in promotion of latest techniques in agriculture sector, Dr Niaz Ahmed said main objective of the institution is to produce best scientists in the field of agriculture. He said the university is committed to achieve this objective by sharing innovative ideas and experiences with the agricultural community. He said the university has been exploring possibilities of creating a new agricultural landscape especially in the Potohar region through exploitation of its topography, nutrients rich soils and the climate.

The vice chancellor said besides increasing enrolment in existing degree programs from 6,200 in 2013 when he took over to over 11,856 in 2016, two new faculties along with their allied departments have been added. He said establishment of Institute of Hydroponic Agriculture, Institute of Geo-Information & Earth Observation and the Institute of Food & Nutrition is another achievement during his four years of service at the university.

Dr Rai Niaz said BSc (Hons) Agriculture, BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition & Dietetics, BS Economics, BS Biochemistry, BSc Dairy Technology and BSc (Hons) Agriculture were started at different campuses of the university in last four years.

He said the university has planned and executed a number of new initiatives such as Mehria Nursery, Aquarium-cum-Aviary, Ostrich Farming, Mehr Water, Seed Certification Centre, Animal Feed Mill, Wheat Processing Plant, Bio-gas Plant, Compost Centre, Trellising Work Station for Fruit Orchards, Poultry Farming, Dairy Farming and the Fancy Birds Breeding Centre. He said the initiatives are aimed at equipping the young graduates with self-employment opportunities that will not only make a positive contribution in national development but also provide livelihood for them.