News & Events

Soil Science Society of Pakistan organized 18th International Congress of Soil Science (ICSS-2020) on 11-13 February 2020, at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Hyderabad. Theme of the Congress “Wise Soil Management Ensures Better Environment and Livelihood” was well tuned with the prevailing agricultural situation nationally and internationally. The Congress was attended by a galaxy of national and international agricultural and environmental scientists. The congress was attended by more than 500 delegates from all over the country and abroad. The congress program included one inaugural, two plenary (10 talks), 18 technical and a concluding sessions. There were total 582 presentations, and out of which 252 were oral and 332 poster presentations. Inaugural session of the congress was chaired by Mr. Abdul Bari Pitafi, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Govt of Sindh and Prof. Dr. Mujeeb-uddin Sahrai Memon- Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad and Mr. Qasim Siraj Soomro, Member Sindh Assembly were guests of honor. Keynote talk of the session was delivered by Prof. Dr. Zahir A. Zahir, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. During Inaugural Session of the congress, Soil Science Society of Pakistan recognized the services of the outstanding scientists for the promotion of Soil Science profession and decorated them with various awards including Honorary Memberships, Fellowships, Services to the Society and SSSP Gold Medals for outstanding students. During Plenary Sessions, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yaseen  University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Prof. Zahir Ahmad Zahir, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; Dr. Muhammad Tahir Rashid, EnviroLead, Calgary, Alberta Canada; Dr. Suleyman TabanAnkara University, Ankara, Turkey (video presentation); Prof. M. Jamal Khan Khattak, University of Agriculture, Peshawar; Dr. Kulbhushan Grover, New Mexico State University, USA (Video presentation); Dr. Abdul Wakeel, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Dr. Shahid HussainEngro Fertilizers Limited, Pakistan; Dr. Nizamuddin Depar, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam, Pakistan and Dr. Nadeem TariqFirst Biotech LLC, Lahore, Pakistan delivered talks related to the congress theme. The concluding session was chaired by Mr. Muhammad Ismail Rahu, Minister for Agriculture, Govt of Sindh and Prof. Dr. Mujeeb-uddin Sahrai Memon, Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam; Mr. Hidayatullah Chhajro, Director General, Agriculture Extension, Sindh; Mr. Noor Muhammad Baloch, Director General, Agriculture Research, Sindh. were the guest of honor.

Soil Science Society of Pakistan and Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture (UAP), Peshawar jointly organized a one-day seminar titled “Sustainable Soil Management under Changing Climate” on December 12, 2019 at University of Agriculture, Peshawar. The Inaugural Session of the Seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Jehan Bakht, Vice Chancellor, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar and Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmad Khattak (Rtd.) and Professor Dr. Zahir Shah (Retd.), former Presidents, SSSP/Deans, Faculty of Crop Production, UAP were Guest of Honor. Prof. Dr. M. Jamal Khan Khattak, Chairman, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, UAP, Dr. Shahzada Sohail Ijaz, Associate Professor, Institute of Soil Science, PMAS Arid Agriculture University. Rawalpindi were the guest speakers of the seminar.

Soil Science Society of Pakistan (SSSP) and University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarabad jointly organized National Seminar entitled “Mountainous Agriculture and Soil Health” on Monday, 30th September 2019 at University of AJ&K Muzaffarabad. Large number of researchers, academicians, students and AJK government officials attended the seminar. Secretary Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Food, Govt. of AJ&K Mr. Raja Tariq Masood was the Chief Guest of the seminar. Dr. Muhammad Bashir Butt, Director General Agriculture, Govt. of AJ&K was the Guest of Honor. Speakers of the technical sessions included Dr. M. Bashir Butt, DG Agriculture AJ&K, Prof. Dr. Khalid Saifullah Khan, Director Institute of Soil Science, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Dr. Abdul Khaliq, Chairman Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, AJ&K, Dr. Tariq Sultan, Principal Scientific Officer, Land Resources Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad and Dr. Saiqa Andleeb, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of AJ&K Muzaffarabad.

Soil Science Society of Pakistan (SSSP) and Land Resources Research Institute (LRRI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad organized a one day National Seminar entitled “Threats to Soil: Changing Climate and Rapid Urbanization” on June 17, 2020. Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Former DG, NARC/Member, Food Security & Climate Change, Planning Commission of Pakistan, was the Chief Guest and Dr. M. Ibrahim, Director (Retd.), Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian, Hafizabad was the Guest of Honor. Dr. M. Mahmood-ul-Hassan, CSO (Retd.), LRRI, NARC, Islamabad was Keynote Speaker of the seminar. In technical session, five presentations were delivered by renowned speakers including Dr. Fayyaz Hussain, Director, LRRI, Prof. Dr. M. Jamal Khan Khattak, Chairman, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Peshawar, Dr. Abid Subhani, Agriculture Chemist, Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute Chakwal, Dr. Wajid Nasim Jatoi, Associate Prof./Head Deptt. of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus and Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Head, Deptt. of Soil Science, Balochistan Agriculture College Quetta. Prof. Dr. Khalid Saifullah Khan and Dr. Shahid Javid chaired the session. Dr. Ijaz Ali was the rapporteur of the seminar.

A special seminar entitled “Role of Soil Science in Global Food Supply” was organized by Soil Science Society of Pakistan on March 4, 2019 at Institute of Soil Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. The Seminar was chaired by Dr. Abdul Rashid, Director General (Retd.), National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad/Former President SSSP while Prof. Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR was the Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Zahir Ahmed Zahir, Director ORIC, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad/ Editor in Chief “Soil and Environment” was guest speaker. After guest speaker presentation, Oath Taking Ceremony of Executive Council for the tenure 2019-20 was held.

Soil Science Society of Pakistan and Department of Soil Science, SAU, Tandojam jointly organized One-day Special Seminar titled “Alternative Plant Nutrient Sources for Higher Crop Yields under Changing Climate” at Senate Hall, SAU, Tandojam on September 10, 2018.  The event was sponsored by Fatima Fertilizers Company Ltd. The guest speakers included Dr. Mujeeb-ud-Din Sahrai Memon, Vice Chancellor, SAU, Tandojam, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yasin, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture of Agriculture Faisalabad (Key speaker of the seminar), Syed Nadeem Shah, Vice President, Sindh Abadgar Board, and Mr. Abdul Samad Abro, Development Manager (South Zone), Fatima Fertilizer Company. Technical speaker of the seminar included Dr. Javed Ahmed Shah, PS and Dr. Qurban Ali Panhwar, SS, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, Dr. Saima Kalsoom Babar, Assistant Professor (SAU, Tandojam) and Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Bughio, Agriculture Extension Officer, Agriculture Extension, Sindh. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yasin, ISES, UAF, Faisalabad, Syed Nadeem Shah were the chairpersons and Dr. Ghulam Moheyuddin Kaloi, was rapporteur during seminar. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Jamro, Focal Person of the seminar briefed the activities of SSSP to audiences

In connection to International Decade of Soils (2015-2024) celebrations, a Special Seminar titled “Soil and Nutrients Management for Sustainable Agriculture” was jointly organized by Soil Science Society of Pakistan and Department of Soil Science, Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam on December 4, 2017 at SAU, Tandojam. The event was sponsored by Fatima Fertilizers Group and Analytical Measuring Systems Pvt. Ltd. Prof. Dr. Mujeeb-u-ddin Sahrai Memon was the chief guest at the occasion, while Mr. Noor Muhammad Baloch, Director General Agriculture Research, Sindh and Eminent Prof. Dr. Kazi Suleman Memon were the Guest of Honor. Other guests included Dr. Muhammad Mahmood-ul-Hassan, General Secretary, SSSP, Mr. Muhammad Yousuf Memon, Director Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Dr. Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Dean Faculty of Crop Production, Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar, Chairman Department of Soil Science, Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Event Coordinator and Dr. M. Tariq Siddique, Treasure SSSP. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Jamro was the Focal Person of the seminar/ Vice President (Sindh).

One day National Ceremony on “Potential and Prospects for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan” and Oath Taking Ceremony of Executive Council for the term 2017-2018 was held at Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad on January 13, 2017.  The ceremony and seminar was chaired by Dr. Abid Mahmood, Director General (Agri. Research) Punjab. Prof. Dr. Zahir Ahmed Zahir, Director ORIC, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad/ Editor in Chief “Soil and Environment” was guest speaker. He emphasized the role of bio-fertilizers in achieving the sustainable agriculture in Pakistan.