TOBA TEK SINGH: Entomologists must pace up their efforts to control crop diseases and pests, which were aggravating due to climate change and other factors, for healthy crops and increased productivity.

This was stated by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan on Wednesday while addressing the annual function of department of entomology.

He said that the agriculture sector was facing challenges and it was necessary to adopt modern methods and transfer agricultural recommendations to the farmers to combat these problems.

He lauded the UAF department of entomology for playing an active role in this regard and hoped that they would continue their efforts to achievefood security. He said that two modern laboratories are being established with the cooperation of China, while a residual laboratory is also being set up.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said the UAF faculty was making all out efforts to fight agricultural challenges.

Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif said that in view of thegrowingimportance of entomology, the department should be given the status of an institute.

Dr Waseem Akram, Dr Ahsan Khan, Dr Zainul Abedin, Dr Arshad, Dr Hamid Bashir, Dr Dildar Gogi, Dr Rashid Rasool, Dr Abid Ali, Dr Sufyan, Dr Tayyab, Dr Jam Nazir, Dr Sagheer, Dr Bilal, Dr Zunnurain and Dr Waseem Abbas also spoke.

Correspondent