From MA Rashid
FAISALABAD: Bank of Punjab has disbursed Rs. 41 million loans among 39 young agriculture entrepreneurs of University of Agriculture Faisalabad to start innovative agri-businesses that will help boost up the sector.
Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masud, was the chief guest at the cheque distribution ceremony held at the Syndicate Room, UAF. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan along with all deans and directors attended the meeting.
Zafar Masood said that development of agriculture sector is prerequisite to alleviate poverty and ensure food security for which Bank of Punjab has provided new agricultural loans worth billions of rupees last year. Bank of Punjab is the fourth largest lender of agriculture in the country and vowed to further expand the agricultural loans in the years to the come. He said that due to reduction in per capita agricultural area over time, farmers were facing problems to adopt modern trends. For which, the agricultural scientists should come with viable solution to address the issue and increase per acre production by formulating an integrated strategy.
Lauding the education and research teaching of the UAF , he said that being the first agriculture university of the subcontinent, it has played an important role in agricultural development and prosperity which is recognized not only at national level but also international level. He said that Punjab Bank would assist the UAF in converting the old campus into a museum to highlight its heritage. He said that 70 percent of the population in the country is directly or indirectly linked with agriculture sector. He said that a branch of Bank of Punjab would also be opened at UAF. He urged the UAF to launch the refresheral course for the training of BoP staff engaged in agricultural department.
Prof Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that research projects worth billions of rupees are run worked at UAF which will help in building a stable and sustainable economy through agricultural development. He lamented that the conversion of agricultural land into residential colonies was a matter of grave concern which would lead to problems like food security. He said that the population of the country was 35 million in 1947 which has now increased to 220 million. He also appreciated the agricultural services of Punjab Bank.
