LAHORE: (Monday, May 26, 2025): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has said that prioritizing modern agricultural farming will help boost rural economy. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the four-day 18th Honey Bee Training Workshop, organized by Punjab University Institute of Zoology, Honey Bee Research Garden in collaboration with the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, Hailey College of Commerce and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) at the Zoological Museum on Monday. On this occasion, Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs Punjab Asif Bilal Lodhi, Chief Executive Officer SAMEDA Socrates Aman Rana, Director Honey Bee Research Institute Ghulam Sarwar, HCC Principal Prof Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmad, Director Institute of Zoology Prof Dr Nabila Roohi, Incharge Honey Bee Research Garden Prof Dr Abdul Majid Khan, President Academic Staff Association Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, faculty members, farmers, researchers, experts and a large number of students were present.

In his address, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that farmers in Pakistan are growing grains by investing a lot of capital, but they are sold at a low price in the market. “If this situation remains and the problems of farmers are not solved, then wheat will also have to be imported in the future,” he cautioned, adding that farmers do the work of production, which Allah loves, and we should respect them and provide them with facilities. He said that agriculture is an important sector along with industrialization, artificial intelligence, data science and technology while more profits can be earned by promoting corporate farming. He said that honey is the best food which also cures many diseases. He said that due to lack of facilities in villages, cities are expanding and agricultural land is shrinking. He said that it is necessary to provide awareness for kitchen gardening so that natural products can be promoted. He congratulated the organizers on the successful workshop. He said that students will get an opportunity to learn from the experiences of farmers, researchers, experts and teachers participating in this workshop. Secretary Law Asif Bilal Lodhi said that the government is playing its role in solving the problems faced by universities and farmers and providing legal support. He said that Pakistan is a talented and resource-rich country, for whose development and progress everyone has to work together. He praised PU Institute of Zoology for organizing a workshop on an excellent topic. Socrates Aman Rana said that steps are being taken to promote industries in the country according to the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He said that they are also providing facilities to increase the production capacity of honey. He said that they are trying to provide modern facilities to farmers and promote entrepreneurship. Ghulam Sarwar said that honey has healing properties and it is a centuries-old food, despite this, the industry has not been promoted enough in Pakistan. He said that the cooperation of farmers is very important for the promotion of beekeeping. Dr Nabila Roohi, while welcoming the participants, said that students and faculty members from various universities of Pakistan are also participating in this training workshop. She said that the workshop will prove to be important in developing future entrepreneurship skills among our students. Dr Abdul Majid Khan stressed on the development of a bee research center in the university, which has all the required research facilities. He said that the workshop will continue till May 29, 2025.