Lahore/Brussels, (Unib Rashid) – A high-level consultative meeting bringing together senior government officials, agricultural scientists, industry representatives, and progressive farmers was held to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) across Punjab.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, renowned agricultural expert Dr. Anjum Buttar, Director General Agriculture Punjab Ch. Abdul Hameed, Director General Pest Warning and Quality Control Dr. Amir Rasul, Chairman of the Department of Agronomy at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad Prof. Dr. Nadeem Akbar, Bayer Field Solutions Lead Fahim Bukhari, Green Land Engineering representative Irfan Iqbal, and other leading experts from the agricultural sector.

Participants held detailed discussions on launching a new phase of Direct Seeded Rice cultivation in Punjab and developing a coordinated roadmap for its wider adoption. The deliberations focused on enhancing water conservation, reducing production costs, improving farm efficiency, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.

Addressing the gathering, participants emphasized that Direct Seeded Rice has the potential to transform rice cultivation in Punjab by addressing key challenges facing the agricultural sector, particularly water scarcity and rising input costs. They noted that DSR technology can significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural growth while improving farmers’ profitability.

A progressive farmer who participated in the meeting described the discussions as highly productive and welcomed the collaborative approach being adopted by stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of strong partnerships among government institutions, academia, industry leaders, and farming communities to accelerate the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing Direct Seeded Rice as a key component of Punjab’s future agricultural strategy, paving the way for increased productivity, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability in the province’s rice sector.