Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, accompanied by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by the Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz- Zaman along with the Registrar, Deans, Directors, and senior faculty members.

During the visit, the Agriculture Minister appreciated the University’s remarkable contributions toward the development of modern agricultural technologies, particularly in the field of hydroponics and controlled environment farming. He lauded the research initiatives and practical solutions developed by the University to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security in arid regions.

Highlighting the importance of the new “2-Marla Rooftop Hydroponic Project”, the Minister said that the Government of Punjab is committed to transforming urban and peri-urban spaces into productive green zones. He said that Hydroponic rooftop farming will not only help families to grow organic vegetables at home but will also contribute to healthy living and household savings. He further stated that this innovative project would be finalized on an urgent basis and presented to the Chief Minister Punjab for immediate approval.

The Honorable Minister also directed the Vice Chancellor and the Secretary Agriculture to enhance collaboration between the University and the Agriculture Department for joint research, technology transfer, and farmers’ awareness programs. He added that our goal is to empower farmers as well as non-farming citizens with knowledge and tools for modern agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo appreciated the research environment and academic excellence at PMAS-AAUR. He said that the Agriculture Department is working to make the Hydroponic Project accessible on a subsidized basis to ensure its adoption at the grassroots level. He said that we are strengthening coordination with agricultural universities across the province, and several projects have been successfully implemented through mutual cooperation. Mr. Sahoo reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to facilitating innovative, sustainable, and farmer-friendly technologies through research partnerships.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman expressed his gratitude to the Minister and Secretary Agriculture for their visit and keen interest in the University’s initiatives. He assured that PMAS-AAUR will continue to support the Agriculture Transformation Plan of the Chief Minister Punjab through applied research, capacity building, and technology dissemination. The Vice Chancellor highlighted that the University is actively working on mega research projects, modern laboratories, and faculty-led patents focused on low-cost and locally adaptable solutions for small-scale farmers.

As part of the visit, Dr. Shoaib Saleem, Director of the Center for Precision Agriculture, presented an indigenously developed Soil Sensing System designed for smart irrigation and fertilization management. The system, integrated with a mobile application, allows precise soil nutrient assessment and real-time decision-making. The Minister and Secretary Agriculture also witnessed a live demonstration of the system’s soil fertility calculations, appreciating the innovation as a milestone toward digital and precision agriculture in Pakistan.

The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of joint efforts between PMAS-AAUR and the Agriculture Department to promote modern, sustainable, and climate-smart farming practices for the benefit of farmers and the overall agricultural economy of Punjab.