Rawalpindi: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen climate-smart agriculture, improve Pakistan’s peanut value chain, and support rural livelihoods through research, innovation and enterprise development.
The agreement, signed during a ceremony at PMAS-AAUR in Rawalpindi on Monday, also highlighted plans for expanding agricultural research partnerships with Chinese universities and promoting technology transfer to support Pakistan’s farming sector.
Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, attended the event as chief guest, while PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech participated as the guest of honour. PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman welcomed the guests alongside university faculty and senior officials.
Focus on climate-resilient agriculture
According to PPAF, the partnership will be implemented under the Climate-Resilient Peanut Value Chain Development for Rural Enterprise and Economic Graduation Project.
The initiative aims to strengthen climate-resilient seed development, improve peanut production systems, promote value addition, support rural enterprises, expand digital advisory services and improve market access for farmers through a research-to-market model.
Officials said the collaboration is designed to enhance agricultural productivity while supporting sustainable rural development and climate resilience.
Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation
Addressing the ceremony, Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan said the government is establishing Digital Youth Hubs across Pakistan to provide young people with modern training opportunities, digital skills, entrepreneurship support and improved employability.
He also shared details of his recent visit to China, where discussions with leading Chinese agricultural universities focused on expanding academic cooperation and joint research.
According to the PMYP chairman, the discussions are expected to lead to collaborations between Chinese agricultural institutions and PMAS-AAUR in agricultural research, technology transfer, innovation and student exchange programmes.
University highlights research capacity
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman said PMAS-AAUR possesses modern laboratories, advanced research facilities and qualified faculty capable of supporting large-scale national development projects.
He said the university remains committed to delivering research-driven solutions that directly benefit farming communities while contributing to Pakistan’s food security and agricultural innovation.
The vice chancellor also welcomed the government’s initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education, digital skills, entrepreneurship programmes, scholarships and career development opportunities for young people.
PPAF outlines rural development goals
PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech described the agreement as an important step toward strengthening agricultural and rural development.
He said the project seeks to improve climate resilience throughout the peanut value chain while supporting enterprise development, increasing productivity and expanding economic opportunities for farming communities.
MoU formalizes long-term collaboration
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by authorised representatives of PMAS-AAUR and PPAF.
Officials from both organisations expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen collaboration between academia and the development sector while promoting sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship and long-term socio-economic development in Pakistan.
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