At Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR), the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting climate smart agriculture, strengthening the peanut value chain, and improving rural livelihoods.
The partnership signing ceremony was held at PMAS AAUR, with Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan as the chief guest and PPAF Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nadir Gul Barech as the guest of honour. They were welcomed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman along with the registrar, deans, directors, faculty members and senior university officials.
Speaking at the event, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan said the government is establishing Digital Youth Hubs across the country to provide modern training opportunities, improve employability, promote entrepreneurship and equip young people with advanced technological skills.
He also said that during his recent visit to China and leading Chinese agricultural universities, discussions were held on academic cooperation and research partnerships. He expressed hope that these engagements would lead to collaboration between Chinese agricultural universities and PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi in agricultural research, technology transfer, student exchange and innovation.
Mr. Nadir Gul Barech said the partnership marks an important step for agricultural and rural development in Pakistan. He said it will be implemented under the project titled Climate Resilient Peanut Value Chain Development for Rural Enterprise and Economic Graduation Project and will focus on climate resilient seed development, improved peanut production systems, value addition, enterprise development, digital advisory services and market access for farmers.
Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman thanked the Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the PPAF chief executive and other partners for their trust in strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture through research based collaboration. He also appreciated the government’s youth focused initiatives, including education, digital skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, scholarships and career development.
He said PMAS AAUR has modern laboratories, advanced research facilities, scientific equipment and qualified faculty members capable of implementing large scale national development projects. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to delivering research solutions that can benefit farming communities and support national food security.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the memorandum by authorized representatives of both institutions. Participants expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a model for academia development sector cooperation in sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, climate resilience and socio economic development.
