Solar Technology Help Agri, Economic Growth

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Augst,2016) : Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) senior scientist Dr. Munir Ahmad on Monday said the use of solar technology in agriculture sector would help in boosting economic growth in the country. Talking to APP, he said the PARC was playing a significant role in making the country self-sufficient in food production.

Dr. Munir said the PARC had introduced new innovations and technologies for the development of agriculture sector. The organization has transferred these technologies to farmers which include zero tillage drill, wheat straw chopper, rice thresher, seed processor, groundnut digger/thresher, canola thresher, fertilizer band placement wheat drill, seed drill and other machines like solar energy system to dry fruit and vegetables, wheat and rice sowing machine, olive oil extraction machine and many other farm machinery.

In Pakistan, he said that annual production of fruits was 6 million ton but 30 to 40 per cent fruits go wasted due to improper facilities for its management. If fruits and vegetables are produced according to healthy and safety standards than we can earn huge foreign exchange through exports, he added.

"The agriculture sector has great potential to raise employment opportunities in rural areas as well as progress towards national food security and economic development," he added. To a question, he said that horticulture sector was contributing 11.8 per cent share to the national economy.