Sargodha: Citrus Research Center has been established at College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, in collaboration with South China Agricultural University, China.
The center was inaugurated by Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha (UoS) and Xiaoyang CHEN, President South China Agricultural University. Dean of Agriculture, Dr Muhammad Afzal, Principal Agriculture College Dr Muhammad Abu Bakar and other faculty members were alsopresent on the occasion.
Xiaoyang CHEN, President South China Agricultural University (SCAU), is heading a delegation which is on official visit to UoS. The delegation comprised Xiaoyang CHEN, President SCAU, Xiongwu SU, Director Human Resource Department SCAU, Yongliang ZHANG, Director, Academic Affairs Office SCAU, Xinxiang PENG, Executive Vice Dean, Graduate School, SCAU and Chuxiong ZHUANG, Director Development & Planning Department SCAU.
A laboratory would also be established under the Citrus Research Center where research activities would be conducted to explore ways for reducing the spread of diseases caused by citrus.
Moreover, the research center would also facilitate the reproduction of beneficial insects which eat plant-sucking insect pests and help maximizing the agriculture production.
On this occasion, Chinese delegation visited various departments of the agriculture college and appreciated the research activities of the college in the field of agriculture.
Xiaoyang CHEN, President SCAU assured full support of Chinese scientists and said that SCAU would extend its full cooperation and support to UoS for the conduction of better research.
The Vice Chancellor UoS said that visit of the Chinese delegation and the initiatives jointly took by the UoS and SCAU would significantly increase the agriculture production of Sargodha. He said that our focus would be on small farmers and the agriculture college and Chinese agriculture experts would facilitate them in every possible way so that their agriculture outcome would be increased.
Earlier on Thursday, the University of Sargodha and South China Agricultural University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint agricultural research institute between them and to develop Confucius Institute at UOS main campus to facilitate and coordinate joint research ventures and curriculum development.