Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and Colorado State University   have agreed to initiate collective research projects and joint academic programmes in the field of agriculture, particularly on Farm water management.  It was decided in a meeting of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad with a five members delegation of Colorado State University headed by  Dr. .Ajay K Jha, here on Thursday. They discussed the possibilities of collaboration in academic, research, training and value chain activities for the development of agriculture sector between the universities.

The visiting delegation exchanged views with PMAS-AAUR academic leadership and applauded its numerous steps to develop the institutional relations with leading institutions and corporate entities. Both parties shared views for joint efforts that are important for potential expansion of future academic collaborations.

Both Institutes agreed to develop updated prioritized training modules for all stakeholders in water management activities and will implement applied water management research plan to address technological issues. It was also decided that they will also work together to enhance capacity of private sector to undertake water management enterprises and will create awareness amongst farming community for efficient utilization of land and water resources. Both the Universities agreed to cooperate in education & research in areas of mutual interest and to establish mutual scientific, educational and cultural programmes in order to assert and to consolidate relationships between the two universities and their countries.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor briefed the delegation on the academic, research and extension programs of the University and its role in the development of agriculture sector. He said that the university has its own Farm on the Chakwal Road for the hands-on training of students. He said that the university is actively involved in extension activities and working with the farmers in the field with focus on the development of small farmers. He further said that University’s overall objective is to promote economic growth by bringing more farms, and more acres, under improved technologies and management practices to increase the agricultural productivity.

Vice Chancellor informed the delegation that University has established a Model Farm with latest agricultural technologies like rainwater harvesting & drip irrigation to give awareness to the farming community to make their practices compatible to the modern practices. University is also helping farming community in getting news technologies to increase agriculture production by using mechanized farming so that they could increase per acre production. He also stressed that there is a need of capacity building programmes to promote water management system and urged the young scientists to come up with innovative solutions to the issues being faced by nation in current scenario.