FAISALABAD: Experts have expressed concern at the decrease in pulses production in the country as farmers are ignoring this product and diverting to other crops.

The concern echoed at a seminar titled `Innovative strategies for enhancing production of food legumes` arranged here by the University of Agriculture.

Prof Dr Kadambot SiddiquefromtheUniversity of Western Australia said the world had been facing new challenges due to climate change.

He emphasized adopting innovative strategies for enhancing production of food legumes, adding that pulses needed relatively less water to grow.

He called for devising and applying more ecobased approaches in managing the issue of the malnutrition.

UAFFacultyofAgriculture Dean Muhammad Arshadsaid the pulses could be grown on a relatively less fertile land with less water.

He said pulses were nutritious and there was the need to promote them. He said farmers were ignoring the pulses which was not a good omen.

Director General Agriculture (Research) Abid Mehmood said Pakistan was facing the complex challenges, including food insecurity, malnutrition, productivity and other issues.

He said they were working on the issue of increasing agricultural productivity with new varieties of crops and modern technology.

Research Innovation and Commercialisation of UAF Director Asif Ali called for cooperation among different departments and stakeholders for uplift of agricultural.

He said cereal production would be enhanced to meet the food security challenges of the ever-increasing population.