HYDERABAD: Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) has offered technical support to government to create investment opportunities for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries in domestic agriculture especially in Sindh and adjacent areas of Balochistan including Jhal Magsi.

A team comprising experts from SAU and Sindh Agricultural Research Department visited farmlands in Sindh and Balochistan to improve productivity of low-yielding lands in the two provinces and submitted a report with recommendations to SAU Vice Chancellor Dr Fateh Marri, said a handout on Thursday.

The team led by Dr Inayatullah Rajper, dean of Faculty of Crop Production, discussed proper planning of water in fields, selection of crops based on land efficiency, use of modern technology, certified seeds, fertilizers, availability of soil and water resources and other issues.

It recommended declaring agricultural lands of such areas suitable for organic cotton cultivation, better agricultural management through appointment of agricultural graduates in farms and increasing efficiency of farms and benefiting from experience of experts.

The VC said there were opportunities for investment in these areas for foreign countries especially (GCC) member countries. He had sent a letter to Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Executive Committee, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), informing about available opportunities for GCC countries to invest in agriculture in Sindh and Balochistan, he said.

He said for investment of GCC countries, SAU would offer technical expertise to develop crop improvement and seed technology, accuracy and bio-salts, barren, organic agriculture, water management and irrigation efficiency, livestock production, halal products, crops post management and value addition.

He said agriculture experts and universities of Pakistan including SAU Tandojam, were ready to offer support and resources towards success of government`s initiative. Their expertise and infrastructure could contribute significantly to research, training, and capacity building efforts.

VC said various plans would be made in Sindh and high-level seminars would be held and it was proposed to hold nationallevel seminar in Quetta which would not only increase production but enable population of low-yielding lands and vacant lands thereby enhancing prosperity of settlers and farmers.