The development and transfer of improved technology and its utilization by farmers are the most critical factors in agricultural development. Lack of trained personnel and extension specialists in most developing countries, among other factors, are responsible for the gap between the available technology and its adoption. This was stated by Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in a meeting with Mr. Amir Bukhari, Senior Program Officer of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), Dr. Abdul Majeed, Country Representative International Center for Agriculture in Dry Areas (ICARDA), held at PMAS-AAUR on February 04, 2013. 

He further said that there is a demand for renewed emphasis on training of extension workers for better understanding of the process of agricultural technology development and transfer. The Vice Chancellor also briefed them about the future plans of the university and its efforts to ensure access of education to every child in remote areas of the country. He said the PMAS-AAUR would continue to work with the partners for expanding its educational efforts.

Mr. Amir Bukhari, Senior Program Officer of JAICA  said  that their organization will try its best to help PMAS-AAUR to disseminate & extension of research in every corner of the country and make all unprivileged areas developed, while Dr. Abdul Majeed, Country Representative ICARDA said that agricultural research efforts and results are of no value unless the approved technology is transferred and fully utilized by its ultimate users. ICARDA would help PMAS-AAUR in on-farm research, training, extension work and institutions building.

 Representatives of their respective institutes also discussed future collaboration among the organizations and hoped that in future the institute will work together which will be beneficial for the farmers of potohar region.

The Vice Chancellor also met with Rao Tajmal, Director Water Resource, Prof. Dr. Asif Ali Khan, Director Research, Innovation & Commercialization, University of Agriculture Faislabad, Engr, Dr. Nasir M. Khan, Additional Registrar, Pakistan Engineering Council and discussed to initiate new degree program  especially Agricultural Engineering with emphasis on Soil & Water.