SAU VC Raises Concerns Over Converting Fertile Agricultural Land into Residential Colonies

The agricultural land resources of Sindh are in jeopardy due to the rapid conversion of green land into residential colonies, he said, adding that half of the province's land resources have been converted into arid areas, and there is a need to reclaim barren land by introducing arid agriculture.

On Saturday, he spoke as the chief guest at the post-conference award ceremony for the organizers and participants of the first international conference on "Biodiversity of Arid Zone," organized by Sub-Campus Umer Kot. Dr. Marri stated that agriculture's position in the country's economy, prosperity, and development is critical, and that increased investment in agriculture, innovation, and proper resource utilization may assist the agriculture industry flourish and address all concerns.

He claims that contemporary agricultural technology can improve almost half of the province's land resources in order to promote desert agriculture. He stated that while there has been significant development in desert agriculture around the world, we still rely on canal agriculture.

"We are facing difficulties in meeting targets of increasing agricultural production due to climate change, disasters, water scarcity, floods, droughts, salinity in underground water, and other issues, as a result of which we must import certified seeds, edible oil, and many food items," he said, adding that "we should promote arid agriculture through our agriculture experts in order to meet these challenges."

"With the cooperation of various institutions and the private sector," the Vice Chancellor promised, "we will conduct research on hydroponic agriculture production, livestock and organic agriculture, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants, and make the land resources of farmers and settlers useful."

Dr. Khalil Ahmed Abuputo, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Dr. Muhammad Farooq Hassan Mateen, Head of Sindh Office of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO. James Okoth, and Pro Vice Chancellor of SAU Sub-Campus Umer Kot Dr. Jan Muhammad Marri, among others, expressed their views.

The Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri later awarded shields among organizers of international conference including Dean Dr. Aijaz Ali Khooharo, Dean Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar, Dean Dr. Syed Ghiyasuddin Shah Rashidi, Dean Dr. Manzoor Ali Abro, Registrar Ghulam Mohiyuddin Qureshi, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director Finance Aneel Kumar, Dr. Nabi Bux Jamro, Ghulam Mustafa Khoso, Abdul Hafeez Leghari, Dr. Shahnawaz Marri, Dr. Parshotam Khatri, Zulfikar Marri, Manzoor Ali Magsi, Dr. Imran Khatri, Lubna Khoso and Vishandas Sothar.