Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and Barani Livestock Production and Research Institute (BLPRI) Kherrimurat, should enhance cooperation in the field of research, livestock, range management, animal breeding  & genetics, wildlife and fisheries to find solutions for problems faced by farmer community of Pakistan.

This was decided in a meeting by Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, and Khalid Mahmood, Director BLPRI on June 14, 2013.  On the occasion, they discussed collaborative research and teaching programmes are being developed for better teaching and research facilities for the students especially required for the Photohar region’s farmers. The both heads of institutes highlighted the significance of close collaboration among the organizations and said it would not only help them to resolve common issues but also enhance the mutual understanding. They were of the view that it would also create linkages with organizations for the development of faculty and promotion of academic and research activities.  Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, catagorically mentioned that research institutes are the real labs of faculty and students of the universities and there is ample place collaboration among universities and institutions, he added. It was also decided that Farm with latest agricultural technologies will be established to give awareness to the farmers’ to make their practices compatible to the modern practices.

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, said that the Pakistan is facing agricultural productivity challenge due to lack of attention and resources and urged the scientists to develop innovative solutions for the betterment of small farmers. They also stressed the need for enhancing the outreach activities for educating the farmers in order to increase agricultural productivity of the country.

Dr Rai Niaz, while talking to Director BLPRI, discussed the opportunities of rainwater harvesting introduction of drip irrigation and then switchover these irrigation systems on solar/wind energy. Khalid Mahmood, Director BLPRI endorsed Vice Chancellor views that switching over to the solar system for energy is the need of the hour mainly for this area as this is the only sources of energy at the moment  for use on farms. Moreover University team was extremely happy to visit the olive (wild) tree bearing fruit after grafting with improved varities  as well as fig.

Furthermore, both the organizations will promote research activities by enhancing collaborative efforts. PMAS-AAUR and BLPRI would soon sign an MoU in this regard which would be helpful to develop, expand, enhance and manage the institutes’ research programs. The MoU would also be helpful for assuring the quality of research and improve the stature of the institutes among the world’s best research institutions.