RAWALPINDI: In the world today, artificial intelligence and information technology plays a role in contributing towards the development of sustainable applications for the agricultural sector. Applications have enabled farmers in developed countries to minimise their input by increasing their per acre yield.

This was highlighted by vice chancellor of Arid University Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman at the International Workshop on Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology. The workshop was held at the university aimed at highlighting the trends, opportunities and applications, and research trends in the field of AI and IT.

The university’s vice chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman was chief guest in the workshop along with Dr Aitazaz A. Farooque (University of Prince Edward Island, Canada), T. Randhawa (IBM, Canada), Dr G. S. Randhawa (University of Prince Edward Island, Canada) and many other national and international renowned and experienced scientists who delivered important lectures.

Development of the agricultural sector on modern lines has become the need of the hour because without involving modern techniques, Pakistan can never achieve its goal towards food security, Dr Zaman said, adding that Pakistan is already suffering from food insecurity and the flood situation has made this situation worse so there is need to encourage and convince our government, particularly farmers to use modern technology instead of conventional methods.

He further said that the university is working hard towards providing quality education and promoting strong academia-industry linkages which is direly needed for economic development, modern research and internships for students.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2022