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Artificial Intelligence in agriculture only way to strengthen country’s economy:

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(APP):Agriculture is backbone of country’s economy. It accounts for nearly 19% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With agro-based products, the sector fetches 80% of the country’s total export earnings. More than 42 percent of the labour force is directly or indirectly engaged with  the agriculture sector.

Agriculture sector offers raw materials to major industries including textile, leather, rice processing, edible oil, sugar and some others. However, this  highly important sector is faced with many challenges including poor quality seeds, substandard fertilizers, fake pesticides, attack of different diseases on crops, low fertility of soil, weeds, excessive use of pesticides as well as some other toxic chemicals and above all, conventional ways of agricultural practices. Many countries including  the United States of America, China, and European nations achieved commendable successes in  the agriculture sector by utilizing modern technologies especially ” Artificial Intelligence” (AI) in the Agriculture sector.

Artificial Intelligence is the ability of a computer to act like a human being. It has several applications, including software simulations and robotics, which are helpful in addressing problems and easing human lives in almost all sectors of human interest.

Artificial intelligence in  the agriculture sector is playing an important role in resolving problems, including management of crops, soil, water, climate changes and even marketing of agricultural products in different developed countries of the world.

However, our country is lagging behind in this field, said Vice Chancellor Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Dr Asif Ali, while talking to APP. For example, he elaborated, “a drone camera flies over a field and takes images of fields within a few minutes.” The images, taken through a drone camera, could easily identify the affected areas of the crop. With the help of AI, a better and timely decision for the treatment of the damaged portions of the field could be taken.

Artificial Intelligence can help the agriculture sector in many ways including forecasts about weather changing patterns, temperature , moisture, pace of wind, soil condition, harvesting technology, detection of disease in crops/plants, poor plant nutrition and it also presents a precise solution to all problems of crops, says Asif. Modern spray machines with some particular sensors for detection and elimination of harmful weeds in the agriculture fields, could be introduced by the dint of artificial technology in the country. In this way, the farmers will apply pesticides at targeted areas. It would not only be cost effective but would also help in keeping the environment safe and secure from excessive use of chemicals , stated VC. Associate Professor, Dr Jehanzeb Masood Cheema, (Department of Agricultural Engineering ARID University, Rawalpindi) told APP, “We can improve agricultural productivity by applying artificial intelligence”. It could help in proper monitoring of crops, analysis of soil, requirement of soil, targeted use of chemicals, improve harvesting techniques with the help of sensors, yield mapping, traceability for enhancing marketing of agricultural goods he said. 

Artificial Intelligence should be promoted in the country , he said adding, Collaborated efforts by experts of Information Technology (IT) and Agriculture Experts were needed to promote the modern trend of Artificial Intelligence. Associate Professor Dr Amjid Iqbal (Department of Computer Science, University of Central Punjab) also stressed the need for joint working of agriculturists and IT experts for ensuring AI technology .

He observed, in  the recent past, some research had been conducted in sample fields. Mapping of affected areas of crops was done with the help of drone cameras and then the images data was analyzed. After consultation with agriculture experts, they applied some particular pesticides and achieved over 80 percent success.

The success rate could be improved further through use of artificial technology, he maintained. Dr Amjid remarked that artificial intelligence in agriculture  would  lead to  a bumper and quality yield. It can also help address issues related to food security.

Similarly, it can facilitate farmers by reducing input cost and enhancing crops production. He suggested that the government should  focus on Artificial Intelligence especially in  the Agriculture sector as there was huge potential in the agriculture sector. Agriculture can revive the economy. There should be maximum coordination between the concerned government organizations in order to promote artificial intelligence to enhance quality agricultural productions.

Dr Irfan Jafar, Head of Department of Software Engineering Superior University, also supported artificial intelligence in all sectors.

He termed artificial intelligence as  the basic reason for the development of different developed countries.

He urged upon the government to offer a conducive environment and special packages for AI use in the agriculture sector.

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The Pioneer of Optics; Al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham

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The contribution of Muslim Scientists.

The era which we are praising today is the product of the intellects of many millennium. Those are the gems of intellect that worked out at that time when there were no scientific resources. Those people have observed their surroundings and have produced resources for humanity. The intellectual Muslims have contributed to every field and their contributions are most valuable. Today all the advancements are based on the discoveries and inventions of ancient scientists both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Modern scientists are working and producing technological items that are also based on the ideas of ancient ones.

Al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham of Basra is known to be the pioneer of Optics. He was the product of the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation that was a creative time period and brought out many far-reaching advancements in the field of science, mathematics, and medicine. He was the greatest Muslim physicist and one of the greatest students of optics of all time. He was inspired by the works of other great philosophers and scientists who were before him such as Aristotle, Euclid, Al-Kindi, Banu Musa, Ibrahim Ibn Sinan, and Ibn Sahl. Ibna al-Haytham based his theories on the work of Greek physician Galen. He is the one who introduced the methods of verification, testing, and experimentation for the exploration of truth. He has written books as well and in one of his books he says: “If learning the truth is the scientist’s goal . . . then he must make himself the enemy of all that he reads.”

He was the person who has given the concept of how vision works. And he has written a book about the “Book of Optics” in which he has illustrated the eyes and optic nerves. He has drawn images of eyes which have been used by the modern scientist to understand and to produce lenses and other optics items. Al-Haytham used a dark chamber to explore the nature of light and vision. Through this experiment, he observed that light entering through a small hole would travel straight and would project an image onto the opposite wall. From this concept, modern cameras have been designed.

Today, if we can have different lenses and glasses to replace or improve our vision artificially and can capture our every moment, is all because of Al-Haytham. The world is grateful for all his contributions.


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Pakistan, China hold meeting to promote agri-forestry economy

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The third Science and Technology Exchange Conference on China-Pakistan Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest is being held both online and offline from November 26 to 28 in Zhengzhou, China, and Gwadar, Pakistan simultaneously.

The exchange conference aims to showcase achievements and research progress of both nations in the field of economic forestry. It also seeks to facilitate academic exchanges of woody medicinal herbs and active substances between China and Pakistan.

The event, co-hosted by the Chinese Society of Forestry (CSF) and Central South University of Forestry and Technology (CSUFT), drew over 220 officials, scholars, students and business representatives from both countries, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.

In 2021, to enhance the economic and ecological development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), CSUFT, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), and Yulin Holdings collaborated to establish an Engineering Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest.

The center aims to showcase a green and sustainable development approach, focusing on the non-wood forest industry and its compatibility with ecological, economic, and social benefits in Gwadar.

During the review and discussion of the progress made over the past years, Zhang Baozhong, chairman of COPHC, introduced the impact of eco-economic forest construction on the business environment in Gwadar.

Focusing on the collection and utilization of germplasm resources of arid- and salt-tolerant and non-wood barren forests, the organizer invited experts to make special presentations on the research progress and development prospects of different plants, including Eucommia ulmoides, Elaeis guineensis, Moringa oleifera, and Hippophae rhamnoides.

The event is organized by Henan Agricultural University, Henan Forestry Society, Economic Forest Branch of CSF, COPHC and Yulin Holdings.

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China Unveils World’s Fastest Internet Backbone Network at 1.2 Terabits per Second

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China has stunned the world with its latest technological leap—unveiling the fastest internet service globally, clocking in at an astounding 1.2 terabits per second. This groundbreaking achievement emerged from China’s Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, a collaborative endeavor involving Tsinghua University, China Mobile, Huawei Technologies, and CERNET.com Corporation.

This cutting-edge “backbone network,” activated in July, spans a 3,000-kilometer fiber-optic network connecting Beijing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. Surpassing predictions, this ultra-high-speed network defies industry standards, outpacing existing internet backbone networks globally, including the United States’ fifth-generation Internet2, which boasts a minimum speed of 400 gigabits per second.

Wu Jianping, the lead of the FITI project, emphasized the monumental impact of this accomplishment, positioning China to pioneer even faster internet technologies. Wang Lei, Vice President of Huawei Technologies, added a practical dimension, highlighting the network’s capability to transfer data equivalent to “150 high-definition films in just one second.”

This ambitious initiative extends beyond domestic realms, promising faster information transfers and potential national security enhancements, potentially reshaping industries and offering strategic advantages, including stock trading.

President Xi Jinping perceives this milestone as strategic, solidifying China’s stance as a “cyber power,” catalyzing the advancement of core internet technologies. While not posing a direct threat to the U.S., it could lay the groundwork for bandwidth-intensive Chinese enterprises.

Launched domestically on July 31, this network, powered by IPv6-only technology, aims to create an open research and test platform spanning 40 universities across 35 cities.

China’s unveiling of the world’s fastest internet backbone network elevates the nation to the forefront of internet technology, signaling wide-reaching implications far beyond national connectivity.

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