We must take measures to control global warming, Raja Pervaiz

Islamabad, September 05 (ONLINE) “We need to take preemptive measures to control global warming, universities and academia should step forward to play a role and give suggestions to the policy makers based on research,” said the Speaker National Assembly, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the inaugural session of the first international conference on “Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Development and Food Security” at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the chief guest of the ceremony, said that natural disasters, storms, volcanoes, earthquakes, or floods are not under human control, but with early preparation and timely measures, we can protect ourselves from the effects of these disasters. He said that due to the recent torrential rains and floods in a few weeks, there was a widespread loss, and a large number of people were badly affected. He said that global warming is the root cause of ecological imbalance and natural disasters. He said that for agricultural self-sufficiency, we must take measures on an emergency basis so that not only our current needs are met but also the future generations can benefit.

This three-day international conference is organized by the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University. Prof. Dr. Azim Khalid of PMAS Aird Agriculture University Rawalpindi was the keynote speaker, whereas other speakers include the Rector, Fast National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Dr. Aftab Maroof, Dean Faculty of Science, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad, Dean Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Registrar, Raja Umar Younis, and Chairman, Department of Agricultural Science, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sher.

The speakers said that increasing the fertility and productivity of the land is the most important need of the hour. They said that by relying on modern methods of irrigation, more production can be achieved with minimal use of water. Agriculture has special importance to meet the needs of the growing population, which can ensure food security only by developing it on modern lines. The speakers further said that ensuring food security and increasing agricultural production has become extremely important and this effort of AIOU will prove to be a milestone to raise awareness about the issue.

Chairman, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad while explaining the aims and objectives of the conference said that the aim of this conference is to bring about positive change in the regional and global food system and to find new solutions to the challenges of global food security.