**Arid Agriculture University and Pakistan Dairy Association Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Food Security and Agricultural Research**
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi has entered into a landmark partnership with the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA), signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive collaborative efforts in food security, nutrition, livestock advancement, and sustainable agriculture. The alliance is expected to have a transformative impact on Pakistan’s agriculture and food industry by bridging gaps between academia, research, and the commercial sector.
The MoU was formalized by Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, Vice Chancellor of PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, and Dr. Shehzad Amin, CEO of the Pakistan Dairy Association. The signing ceremony was attended by notable representatives from both organizations, including Dr. Muhammad Zubair, PDA’s Manager Operations, and Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Director Corporate Affairs at FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan, alongside other distinguished guests.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman underscored the practical significance of the agreement, describing it as a decisive step toward sustainable development and food security. He emphasized the university’s dedication to equipping farmers, food industry specialists, and dairy professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and skills through modern education and applied research. According to Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, overcoming Pakistan’s complex food and nutrition challenges hinges on strong collaboration between educational institutions, research bodies, and industry stakeholders—a vision central to this partnership.
The university announced plans to initiate joint research projects and internship programs in cooperation with the PDA. These initiatives will focus on livestock health, advanced dairy technologies, value addition processes, and improvements throughout the food value chain, thereby providing students with exceptional hands-on training opportunities.
Dr. Shehzad Amin reaffirmed the Pakistan Dairy Association’s commitment to aligning academic research with industry requirements, stating that this partnership would serve as a model for universities nationwide. He stressed the importance of institutional collaboration for innovation and the practical application of research findings within Pakistan’s thriving dairy industry.
Under the terms of the agreement, both organizations will jointly conduct research and organize training sessions in key areas such as nutrition, genetic improvement of livestock, increasing milk and meat production, waste management, and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.
The ceremony concluded with both parties expressing a firm commitment to shared learning, technology exchange, and mutual support—paving the way for agricultural development and progress toward national food self-sufficiency.
