Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and Punjab Agriculture Research Board organized first International Salinity Conference

Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and Punjab Agriculture Research Board organized first International Salinity Conference

Bahawalpur (PR) The Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and Punjab Agriculture Research Board organized first International Salinity Conference at Baghdad ul Jadeed Campus. As many as 109 delegates from Turkey, Oman and various Pakistani universities and organizations attended the event. Prof. Dr. Qaiser Mushtaq, Vice Chancellor the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi inaugurated the conference. He said that Pakistan being an agrarian country depends on agricultural products as a major part of national economy. However our imports are higher than exports and our agriculture revolves around five crops while advanced countries have capacity to grow many more crops in a season. Pakistan started facing salinity and water logging problem during 1960s. Despite of having the best irrigation system, our agriculture is facing many problems due to various environmental challenges. On one hand we face water scarcity and on the other hand we waste plenty of irrigation water in the sea. We have vast cultivated lands but keep facing low productivity issues. However, the Government of the Punjab has devised a comprehensive agricultural policy first time in the history of the province which is bringing fruitful results. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur being leading university of the region is playing its role actively to promote agriculture research.  He appreciated the organizers for conducting a mega event. The conference will bring together international and national researchers academician , administrators and students and formers involved in salt tolerance related research and will be a good opportunity for learning,  discussions and sharing, expertise relevant to social and economical impact of salinization. It explores new dimentions and challenges to develop plants with improve salt tolerance and use of brackish water on sustainable basis. Prof. Dr. Asgher Hashmi, Dean Faculty of Science and Prof. Dr. Muazzam Jamil Principal University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences also spoke on this occasion.