Agriculture and Rural Development of Pakistan - When Young People take part!

[Youth Report from a Conference Organized by Agrilink at LAHORE]

When a country is rapidly growing, it is always guiding its nation towards prosperity in economical development. First you need to set the goal and understand the tradition and issues/problems of your people to make a successful plan, sometimes you need additional training in aspects of cultivation, production or marketing.

Sometimes you need help finding experienced professionals, new markets, channels, platform and forums to elaborate the entire nation to be successful as self reliant. Also, you need to plan how to make effective use of all kind of available resources. Hence the skies make you lonely and isolated.  But with a wee bit of reassurance and encouragement all that hard work is really worthwhile and does mean anything!

It builds a community, connect you with nature daily, and you know that your work is meaningful, unique and important. On the other hand and in the same manner, small, sustainable farming also present challenges for both new and experienced growers.

AND that’s where an organization like YPARD can make a substantial difference in the life of a farmers and young professionals for not only individual success but also for the growth of the entire Universe- which is positively impacting the lives of each and every living creature.

I joined Agrilink & Alkaram Seeds Corporation and attended their 2013 Sustainable Agriculture Conference in PC Hotel - Lahore.  In this respect we are proud to say that we have made abundance of contacts and in return we are full to the brim with  a lot of encouragement and appreciation  for our farm development programs for which we are now looking  to  promote young professionals to join the platform of YPARD-PAKISTAN for spreading the YPARD vision for a better world.

Being at this tremendous two days Agriculture conference,  I enjoyed the communication between youth and agriculture experts. This season allowed me to build a bridge between grassroots individuals and youth to maintain the very good sociological relationship.

I couldn’t have asked for a better outlet, because the students from universities and Agriculture experts have been in dialogues to conclude the session marvelously. This new program was hugely supported by YPARD-Pakistan team and was amazingly recognized as the Pakistan’s first Young Professionals Platform where Youth and Agri Giants are at the same level to discuss everything in freedom.

After a good bit of research and some trial and error, we found a better way to secure our farming from traditional to modernize. We ended the session and the year 2013 as a promising nation which together can change the future because of strongly dedicated young teams with great planning and in light of experts advises.

In between, a festival was organized at Lahore under the title of “Kissan Mela”. I went on the livestock and agriculture machinery tour, had significant discussions with experienced livestock farmers, and gained a wealth of great advice from the workshop organized by Ministry of Agriculture [Punjab Zone].

I am thankful to receive a Sustainable Futures Award for 2013. The award is given to young leaders who advance scientific knowledge on the sustainable use of agricultural resources for the economic development of the country.

Agrilink was the key resource to give us the opportunity to introduce YPARD-Pakistan among the greatest people from various institutions, organizations, research center and especially our farmers, by helping them YPARD-Pakistan make significant connections at Punjab province.

During the 2^nd day of the Conference again I had chance to give my presentation on Agriculture and Rural Development. This presentation was the key factor to enhance the YPARD strategy to the agriculture market, and learned new skills from audience to help us be successful being a team. We [YPARD-Pakistan] are thankful for those who support the YPARD team to make development in agriculture sector with the young energetic professionals, because YPARD believes that in turn of encouragements and supporting farmers who are giving tireless efforts to produce high-quality food for our local community, we will make the difference.

In order to give encouragement to YPARD-Pakistan in the leading industry of Agriculture, Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Mr. Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq, had honored a “Young professionals’ spokesperson of the year award, in recognition of outstanding communication efforts on behalf of all Pakistani YPARDians. This award is for all the YPs who played a major role in contribution to Pakistani agriculture and betterment of rural livelihood.

Together we can change the future of Agriculture

We feel very privileged to see that the world is really a global village now; in villages each villager cares about others….