Uniqueness in the fertilizer Models is that it is two way communication: Dr. Asif Ali

Lahore: Dr. Asif Ali Vice Chancellor Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan informed that the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has taken a revolutionary step to utilize the state of art ICT means to disseminate the information among the farming community.  He further stated that the Uniqueness in the fertilizer Models is that it is two way communication i.e. farmer and expert. This step will prove milestone in improving the efficiency of fertilizers and ultimately the income of farmer.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has determined to take the technology at the doorstep of every farmer of the Province. University has developed soil test based fertilizer prediction models to predict the required amount of N and P for desired yield of major crops. Farmers can use these Prediction Models to determine the actual amount of nitrogen and phosphorus for desired yield of Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane, Rice and Maize crops. For this purpose farmers can visit the website: www.fertilizeruaf.pk at computer or mobile phone. These models have been developed as a result of untiring hard work and efforts of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture Department. The USAID and ICARDA are providing financial and technical support for creating awareness among the farming community for fertilizer prediction models. Dr. Abdul Majid, Country Manager of ICARDA is taking personal interest to help the University in this project.   This was stated by Dr. Muhammad Rashid Principal Investigator of the Project during a media briefing about the fertilizer models and income increasing plans developed by University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

University of Agriculture has also developed e-solutions for site specific and economical crop production technology for every individual farmer according to his piece of land and financial resources. These e-solutions are available for six districts i.e. Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Jhang, Okara and Layyah at the website: www.kissandost.pk. Farmers can invest according to their financial resources and accordingly they can earn profit up to Rs. 1 lac per acre from arable cropping and Rs. 3 to 4 lacs per acre from high value farming by using the e-solutions from the website. For the farmers, weather forecast for next 5 days is also available at this website. The link for AMIS is also available on the website to update the current market rates of all the agriculture commodities.  For this project, Ministry of Information affiliated company I.C.T R&D Fund has provided the financial support.

Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar, Director Agricultural Information Punjab, Muhammad Aslam ICARDA consultant and large number of print and electronic media representatives participated in this briefing. Dr. Muhammad Rashid Principal Investigator of both the projects, further informed that farmers can call at Toll Free number 0800-54726during office hours for guidance about the problems faced while using these websites.