Federal Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, said agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, and the government is taking measures to support the sector.

Federal Minister was speaking at the inauguration of an indigenous hydroponics system at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on March 23, 2016.

Pakistan Science Foundation chairperson Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, National University of Science and Technology Rector Gen Mohammad Asghar, Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Fazal Hussain, MNA Raja Javed Ikhlas, Tahira Aurangzaib, Senator Najma Hameed, MPA Malik Iftikhar, Dr Noorul Islam, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Gill, Dr Jahangir Khan Sial, as well as students, farmers and other scientists and faculty members attended the inauguration.

The Federal Minister said the exchange of experiences and innovative ideas between farmers would give the agriculture sector a boost.

He said the steps taken by PMAS-AAUR for indigenous hydroponics was commendable for making modern agricultural technology accessible to farmers so they can increase the yields of their crops.

“Pakistan has great potential in the agriculture sector and bringing it along modern lines will ensure future food security and nutrition,” he said. He added that the Punjab government has already announced Rs100 billion for the sector, to improve farmers’ lifestyles.

He said the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would take the country out of the electricity crisis by 2018.

He said farmers should be trained to use new technologies to increase production rather than relying on traditional instruments.

He said the introduction of the first Indigenous Hydroponic/Soilless System of Pakistan by PMAS-AAUR would be a milestone in increasing the capability of agro-products.

The Minister said universities should improve research capabilities, and pledged the government’s support in this regard.

Speaking earlier, the PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmed, in his welcome address explained that hydroponics is a technique used to produce safe and high quality vegetables.

He said hydroponic products have great nutritional value and taste fresh because they are grown in a healthy environment.

He said the indigenous hydroponics system is giving the same yield as European hydroponics systems, even though the cost is 100 times lower. In traditional system farmer is gaining 5-7 ton in tunnel and in this system we are gaining production up to 300 ton/hect and its potential yield is 500 ton/hect, he added.

The Vice Chancellor expressed his commitment to transferring this technology to Pakistani farmers so they may benefit from it.

Guests were also presented with shields, and the federal minister planted a tree.