Vice Chancellor Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, visited the Center for Modern Agriculture and Water-Efficient Technologies at the University Research Farm, Koont, to assess ongoing research and development aimed at strengthening modern agriculture across Pakistan.
During the visit he received detailed briefings on key initiatives including the Artificial Insemination Project, the Honey Bee Development Project, and multiple field trials on crops and vegetables. The Vice Chancellor toured field laboratories where scientists and students are conducting experiments to improve crop genetics, restore soil health and develop resource-efficient agricultural systems that farmers can adopt in arid and semi-arid zones.
Dr. Tahir Iqbal, Focal Person of the Pak-China Center for Modern Agriculture, highlighted mechanized wheat cultivation under high-efficiency irrigation systems and the use of precision farming technologies. The briefing focused on practical measures to increase water productivity and crop yield through innovative irrigation methods and digital tools tailored for Pakistan’s climatic challenges.
Director of the University Research Farm, Dr. Ghulam Qadir, outlined collaborative research efforts among faculty, postgraduate students and partner organisations to translate research into on-farm solutions. Emphasis was placed on field-tested techniques that raise productivity while reducing input costs and conserving water resources.
Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman praised the applied focus of the projects and urged researchers to prioritise outcomes that benefit farmers directly, strengthen national food security and open export opportunities. He called for sustained lab-to-land efforts to enhance productivity, conserve resources and uplift farming communities, stressing the need for collaborative innovation to confront climate change, water scarcity and rising food demand.
