Tag: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, May 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):A two-day seminar (May16-17, 2022) organized by the Department of Farm Machinery and Precision Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology ended, here on Tuesday, at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR). The topics of the seminar were Tractor mechanics, Principles of efficient tractor operation and environmental impact of diesel exhaust, its remedies, and EPA standards.

Faculty members of different institutes/faculties, final year students of engineering, and field engineers of agricultural engineering departments of Rawalpindi and Peshawar attended the seminar. The guest speaker was Engr. Mansoor Rizvi, Country Head of Case New Holland Agriculture.

Engr. Mansoor explained to the participants about the optimum use of agriculture tractors that can bring 21% savings in diesel consumption. He explained that proper rear tire inflation, selection of proper gear and engine rpm, proper adjustment of implement, correct use of tractor hydraulics, and maintenance of a cooling system of the tractor requires no financial input but the savings in terms of diesel and environment is huge.

He said that 21% saving in diesel means saving of 1,8,250 Rs /tractor/year. He said that there are around 500,000 operational tractors in Pakistan, so the total financial implications of this venture could bring a saving of Rs 90 billion rupees which is a huge burden on the exchequer of the country.

In the training, he explained the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards incorporated in off-highway diesel engines to neutralize the bad effects of diesel exhaust pollutants such as Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide causing smog in cities, and particulate matter.

Engr. Prof. Dr. Jehanzeb Masood Cheema, Dean Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology in his remarks emphasized that Pakistani agriculture is facing environmental pollution, adverse effects of climate change, water shortages and other serious problems, including growing population and poor economic potential of farmers.

The Vice-Chancellor of PMAS- PMAS-AAUR Engr. Prof. Dr. Qamar uz Zaman, in his address, puts great emphasis on the industry-academia linkage to address the challenges being faced by our farmers. He has shed light on the project process pertaining to precision agriculture.

He stated that the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Department of Farm Machinery and Precision Engineering is working to indigenize gadgets used under the “internet of things” and Geographic Information Systems to develop an economical solution to provide early weather warnings and crop-related instructions to the farmers. He said that the focus of the Agricultural Engineering faculty is to ensure food security by developing simple and economical solutions for the farming community.

The Vice-Chancellor in further eulogized the hard work of the organizers of the seminar and reiterated his commitment to leave no stone unturned to bring this University at par with the standards of world-leading international universities by providing a congenial environment for the researchers to find the best solutions for the agriculture in the country which is hard-pressed due to small landholdings and growing population.

Engr, Dr. Tahir Iqbal, Chairman Department of Farm Machinery and Precision Engineering thanked the participants and speaker. The seminar was ended with the award of certificates to the participants.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Muree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, March 12, 2022 (PPI-OT):To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Directorate of Women Development Studies Center (WDSC) of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) organized a seminar at university main campus here on Friday.

The University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman was the Chief Guest while Ms. Samina Nazeer (President PODA-Pakistan) and Ms. Rizwana Ahsaan (EuroGender, Consultant) and Ms. Uzma Batool (FAO) were guests of honour. The seminar was attended by female faculty members and a large number of students.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (8 March), “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” explores the ways in which women and girls are taking the charge of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response around the world, inducing powerful leaders and change-makers to a more sustainable future for all.

Speaking as the chief guest, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman highlighted the role of women for the development of a nation and appreciated the efforts of the organizing team and performance of the students. He advised female students to strengthen their capabilities and capacity to compete with the challenges to equally play a role for the development of the country.

Speakers of the seminars, addressed the participants regarding advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction which is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. They also emphasized on the continuous support and encouragement from men with their collective actions for the betterment of societies and awareness of their rights.

Young Aridians of Arid Literacy Center performed a play entitled “Baykhof” and Students from the Department of Education also performed drama on the theme of “Rights of Daughter”. An Undergraduate student sung a song regarding women’s day.

Earlier, Dr. Qaisara Parveen, Director of WDSC welcomed the guests, Faculty Members, participants and highlighted the aims and objectives of this seminar. At the end Chief guest distributed shields and certificates among the participants and speakers of the seminar.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Murree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, December 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):A total of 4439 degrees awarded to the students of undergraduates, graduates, MPhil and PhDs scholars at the 22nd convocation 2020 of the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR), here on Wednesday.

Minister for Higher Education (Punjab) and PITB Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz was chief guest while President Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Former Vice-Chancellor of PMAS-AAUR, Prof. Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan (SI), was guest of honour. PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, University Registrar Mr. Aqeel Sultan and Controller Examination Mr. Shahbaz Ahmad, along with deans, Directors, faculty members, students and their parents were also present on the occasion.

During the ceremony 37 students received PhD degrees, 1893 were awarded M.Phil/masters degrees, while 2509 students got undergraduate degrees in their respective disciplines. Gold medals were awarded to 38 students on their outstanding performance in their academic record while 22 bagged silver and 18 secured bronze medals in the convocation. Two sponsored Gold medal were also awarded by Bank of Punjab.

While addressing, Minister Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz congratulated all the graduate students, especially those who have got distinctions throughout their course of study and said that the fulfillment of the educated workforce required for economic and social development of the country should be among the explicit objectives of every educational concern.

Minister said that the contemporary age demands education based on science and technology, but we must add the blend of socio-cultural aspects while imparting knowledge that evokes respect for one’s culture, geography, history and national heritage. He said that we should provide education inspiring the spirit of nationalism in future generations and the government is working hard to provide quality and skill-based education to all.

Explaining the need for quality education, he said that our Alma Maters should not only be able to deter students intended abroad for quality education, but also develop themselves as destinations of educational excellence to attract foreign students thereby, boosting up the national economy. He advised the students that they should not end their hard work and effort here but should make it more stable in their life which would not only brighten the name of Pakistan but also make the country prosperous.

Earlier, during his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman read out a message from the Chancellor for the students to congratulate them for successfully completing and achieving their degrees. Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman, in his welcome address said that Arid Agriculture University made substantial efforts to improve academic and research activities along with enhancement of financial resources as the University has been awarded several development projects by provincial and federal governments amounting to Rs. 5 billion.

While highlighting the university’s efforts towards quality education, faculty and students’ career-building he said that the University successfully organized over a hundred International and National Workshops/Seminars/Conferences and Webinars and HEC allowed admissions to 28 more programs.

Vice Chancellor stressed on the academia industry relations and said that the strong link between academia and industry is the backbone of any country’s development for which the university has taken exemplary steps by organizing farmer’s fairs etc. He also congratulated all the staff of the university and students for the successful completion of 25 years of quality education and academic excellence.

PhDs Degree Awardees:

Muhammad Faisal Khan (Horticulture), Aliya Tariq (Plant Pathology), Saman Chughtai (Horticulture), Umara Qadeer (Agronomy), Adeel Khan (PBG), Zafar Iqbal (Entomology), Muhammad Mazhar Qayyum (Horticulture), Riffat Ayesha (Horticulture), Rafiq Ahmad (PBG), Muhammad Ahsan (Plant Pathology), Rab Nawaz (Horticulture), Sohail (Botany), Muhammad Qayash (Zoology), Muhammad Ejaz (Botany), Bilal Javed (Botany), Roomina Mazhar (Botany), Ruqqya Naz (Zoology), Madiha Khalid (Biochemistry), Faryal Kabir (Biochemistry), Muhammad Asad Anwar (Biochemistry), Abdul Sami (Biochemistry), Muhammad Wahab Yasir (Environmental Sciences), Anwar Ali (F and RM), Tariq Mahmood (F and RM), Naureen Mustafa (Wildlife Management), Hira Fatima (Wildlife Management), Ume Habiba (Wildlife Management), Zafar Iqbal (CS), Sajid Latif (CS), Muhammad Kaleem (FT), Kouser Majeed Malik (Soil Science), Tayyba Kanwal Choudhary (Soil Science), Muhammad Raashid (Economics), Aabida Lateef (Education), Farah Rahman (Education), Saba Wali Lone (Education), Shumaila Khurshid (Education)

Gold Medallists:

Taimoor Khalid (B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture PBG), Sidra Rameen (M.Sc. Hons. Agriculture Agronomy), Ayesha Shams (M.Sc. Hons. Agriculture PBG), Atika Ehsan (M.Sc. Botany), Saima Nasreen (M.Sc. Biology), Maria Amjad (M.Sc. Zoology), Rabia (M.Sc. Mathematics), Qurat-Ul-Ain (M.Phil. Botany), Saba Shaheen (BS Economics), Shumaila Nawaz (M.Sc. Economics), Imran Ali (M.Sc. Criminology), Afshan Qayyum (M.Sc. Mathematics), Muhammad Salman Arshad (DVM), Muzamil Hussain (BS Forestry), Zainab Haroon (B.Sc. Agri. Engr.), Rida Ali (BS Biochemistry), Aqsa Jabeen (BS Microbiology), Imra Zia (B.Sc. Honors HND), Amna Shahid (BS Geo-Informatics), Muhammad Sufyan (BBA Honors), Mahnoor Hanif (MBA), Muhammad Zeeshan Hanif (BSCS), Fida Muhammad (BSIT), Tehmeena Zafar (BSCS), Sayyam Abbasi (BSIT), Hajra Qurban (MCS), Sumbal Shahid (BBA Honors), Tabish Tashfeen (BSIT), Maira Munir (BBA Honors), Haseeba Fatima (BSCS), Sumera (M.Sc. Mathematics), Mubbera Sahar (BSCS), Muhammad Shahbaz (BSIT), Swaira Mahmood (M.Sc. Mathematics), Anees Shahbaz (BBA Honors), Saira Ali (BSCS), Hamza Sajid (BSIT), Asfand Khan (BSCS).

Bank of Punjab Sponsored Medallist:

Taimoor Khalid (BSC Hons Agri. PBG), Muhammad Zeeshan Haneef (BSCS)

Silver Medallists:

Sara Khan (B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture Soil Science), Khalida Ahmed (BS Economics), Bisma Shahbaz (BS Forestry), Faiza Tariq (BS Biochemistry), Natasha Noor (BS Microbiology), Javeria Munawar (B.Sc. Honors HND), Nazia Parveen (BS Geo- Informatics), Tahseen Ullah Khan (BBA Honors), Maria Akhtar (BSCS), Afras Ahmad Khan (BSIT), Ijaz Ali (BSCS), Syeda Alvisha Ali (BSIT), Syeda Manal Raza Kazmi (BBA Honors), Shahid Mehmood Awan (BSCS), Raheel Ahmed Feroze (BSIT), Mariam Latif (BBA Honors), Muhammad Israr Akram (BSCS), Areeba Noreen (BSIT), Aimen Nadeem (BBA Honors), Qasim Nawaz (BSCS), Tayyab Ashfaq (BSIT), Abdul Wahid Lak (BSCS)

Bronze Medallists:

Faria Mumtaz (B.Sc. Hons.) Agricultural Economics), Aurang Zeb (BS Economics), Muhammad Ali Hassan (DVM), Sania Khan (BS Forestry), Sabahat Ali (BS Biochemistry), Hifza Munir (BS Microbiology), Shazmina Hassan (B.Sc. Honors HND), Saman Mahnoor Bushra (BS Geo-Informatiocs), Mawra Hussain (BBA Honors), Saif Ali (BSCS), Aniza Batool (BSCS), Sobia Shehzadi (BSIT), Arooj Azam (BBA Honors), Ume-Aiman (BBA Honors), Muhammad Ans (BSCS), Afaq Ali (BBA Honors), Afrasiyab Haider (BSIT), Nouman Ahmed Awan (BSCS)

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Murree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, November 25, 2021 (PPI-OT):After completing the 25 years of academic excellence Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR) has marked the occasion by launching week-long Silver Jubilee Celebrations beginning with educational, social and cultural activities on November 22, 2021.

Federal Minister for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi, PMAS-AAUR Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman, Prof. Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan (Sitara Imtiaz) Former Vice-Chancellor PMAS AAUR, President Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Secretary-General NASIC Dr Shaista Sohail, Executive Director Higher Education Commission, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Chairman PCRWR, Members of Parliaments, Diplomats, faculty members and students were also present on the occasion. Registrar Pakistan Engineering Council faculty members, students and other university staff were also present on the occasion.

In his address Federal Minister Ch. Fawad Hussain said that it is an exciting trajectory of expansion and growth that the university has come a long way in these twenty-five years which enabled its national eminence and global impact. The federal Minister said that only educational institutions and students can change the faith of the country and entrepreneurship is the only way where our youngsters should focus.

Calling smart agriculture technologies the future of the medium he said that due to this, people are not only reducing their agriculture input cost but also increasing their outputs. The federal minister said that we are living at a moment where the world is recovering from a huge crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic as all the fields of life are transitioning from conventional to the online so it would be a serious challenge for educational institutions that how they will become part of this transitioning system while maintaining their quality.

In his address, the provincial agriculture minister Hussain Jahania Gardezi said that it is a great pleasure to hear that in such a short period the Arid University has produced such eminent people who have not only made the name of the institution famous but also benefited the country through their achievements at home and abroad.

He said that it is a matter of great honour that whenever modern research and technology for agriculture is mentioned at the provincial or national level, the name of Arid Agriculture University comes first. He also advised to continue this trend of innovation and quality education and to extend all possible research to the common farmers. Prof. Dr Khalid Mehmood Khan Ex-Vice Chancellor of PMAS AAUR appreciated the efforts of AAUR towards quality education and Academia-Industry strong linkages and hoped that the university will maintain its legacy in future also.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said that the institute has been an innovator in the field of agriculture education since 1994, having over 12000 students, 1000 teaching faculty and management staff. He said that all the teachers and students should take advantage of the opportunities to broaden their professional networks as such interactions invariably lead to intellectual maturity, creative thinking and skills for expression.

He urged all the stakeholders for their active participation in a week-long variety of social, scientific and cultural events made up in line with the aim of transforming conventional agriculture to modern-day digital and precision agriculture. The future of the world is AI and its use helped the government to identify bogus recipients in BISP. Qasim Khan Suri Artificial Intelligence is already making an impact on our lives and will soon play a much greater role in our work lives. The potential applications of AI excite forward-thinking managers, who see the opportunities AI will provide to advance careers and business results faster.

For the purpose Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi arranged a seminar on “AI for management solution: Affordable and Access” where Qasim Khan Suri Deputy Speaker National assembly participated as a chief guest along with Dr Ishrat Hussain Ex-Governor State bank, Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Vice-Chancellor PMAS AAUR, Dr Najimdeen Bakar from NUST, Shakil Munir President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Atiq ur Rehman CEO Nayakam Pvt. Ltd. and Raja Umer Iqbal Executive Member Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In his address, Qasim Khan Soori said that the pace of development in the world has accelerated and countries that do not adapt to these changes and adapt to them will be left far behind in this race. He said that all the big companies in the world are working hard on how to reduce their input costs and increase revenue by reducing human resources which is only viable due to automation which is named AI in the present day, he said.

AI is not useful for the private industry but also very helpful for the governments for their smooth day to day operations as its use Pakistan had identified 600,000 fake aid recipients in BISP last year and helped the government to deliver billions of rupees to the actual needy through the Ehsaas program without any political interference, he said.

While addressing Dr Ishrat Hussain said that the working styles are changing in the world where the use of brain labour is increasing more than conventional labour. Dr Ishrat said that we should consider AI as a tool for prosperity, not the replacement the human intelligence which makes our life very easy and through the application of AI, information-intensive domains such as marketing, health care, financial services, education, and professional services could become simultaneously more valuable and less expensive to society.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman the vice-chancellor of the university thanked the guests and said that Arid Agriculture University is working hard in Prime Minister’s transformation program and due to which it is the only university in Pakistan which is working on precision agriculture technology which will enable the farmers to reduce the input cost and increase the outputs. He said that if we want to see Pakistan as a developed country then we have to adapt to the new technologies being used in the developed world which will innovate and increase Pakistan’s exports and make it economically strong.

The third day of the Silver Jubilee of PMAS AAUR ended with educational, research and cultural activities. The Chairman PM’s task Force for Gems and Jewellery Eng. Gul Asghar Khan Baghoor said in a technical seminar on Socio-Economic Benefits of Entrepreneurial Mindset that Arid Agriculture University is becoming an important educational institution in Pakistan due to its quality research and modern agricultural transformation, attended by the vice-chancellor of the university Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman and Dr GU Wenliang the Agriculture Commissioner of Chinese Embassy beside him.

While appreciating the activity Gul Asghar said that it is a commendable initiative that Arid University has conducted such a seminar to draw the attention of the students to entrepreneurship because only through this method Pakistan can overcome all its problems like unemployment and economic problems.

GU Wenliang, Chinese Agriculture Commissioner in Pakistan said that China is trying its best to uplift Pakistan’s agriculture sector and many agriculture projects have become part of CPEC. China will pledge to open up its markets for Pakistani agriculture products like rice, fish etc. to facilitate Pakistan in the marketing of its Halal food products, also to provide modern agricultural technologies, he said.

In his address, Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said that technology has made it very easy to start your own business, now with just a mobile phone and a few pennies you can own a business worth billions of rupees. He said that there are many examples in the world where people started their businesses in poverty and unfavourable conditions? today they are counted among the richest countries in the world.

He termed the students to start their own business as a charity where they would not only be able to earn a living for themselves but would also be a source of livelihood for others. The federal minister for Narcotics Control Ijaz Ahmad Shah said during his participation in a drama arranged by Aradian Society on the title of “Manshyat Mout Ka Jaal Hain” drugs are the tool of hybrid war which is enemy using against Pakistan so it is the responsibility of every Pakistani this war.

Major General Ghulam Shabbir Narejo DG Anti-Narcotics Force while appreciating the activity said that the era of conventional wars is over and the enemy is now using new methods to lure and destroy the young generation of Pakistan, so it is the responsibility of all of us to Save Pakistan from the nefarious tactics of the enemy.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman assured the guests that Arid University is working hard towards a narcotics free campus and ANF also appreciated its efforts. Referring to the hybrid war, he said that all the university administration stood by the country’s security agencies in every difficult time.

In parallel, the university has also conducted a seminar on Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan to educate and empower the female students about their rights where Ms Afshan Qamar the wife of the University Vice-chancellor participated as a chief guest along with Dr Samia Raheel Qazi Ex-Parliamentarians, Prof. Dr Farkhanda Zia from International Islamic University, Islamabad and Nayla Chouhan Ex-Ambassador of Pakistan.

While addressing Dr Samia said that there is a lot of scepticism about women’s rights in our society and somehow, they are linked to a religion that has nothing to do with. She said that Islam is the only religion in the world that gives a woman the highest respect and high status in society which is evident from placing paradise under the footsteps of a woman.

Dr Farkhanda and Nayla Chouhan Dr Farkhunda and Ms Naila, while discussing the rights of females in their speeches, also urged them to not put their responsibilities behind in the pursuit of their rights. They urged the students for pursuing their higher education and start their businesses or jobs which is allowed by Islam and the religion is full of women businesswomen. Thanking all the participants, especially the distinguished guest, Afshan Qamar, ended the seminar by referring to the famous saying of Napoleon “give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated nation”.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Muree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk

Training Workshop on “Smart Potato Cultivation and Strategies for Value Chain Development” – Press Release issued by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, September 02, 2021 (PPI-OT): Following is the text of press release issued by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Quote

PMAS-AAUR Department of Horticulture in collaboration with research and Industrial Partners organized a three days (Aug.30 to Sep.1, 2021) training workshop on “Smart Potato Cultivation and Strategies for Value Chain Development”.

Renowned Potato Scientists and industrial representatives from Potato Research Institute Sahiwal, Hazara Agriculture Research institute, Potato Breeding substation Murree, Aceto America, Ismail Industries and Beacon House group delivered their scientific talks and real-life field experiences on potato cultivation in different regions of Pakistan. Strengths, weaknesses and issues faced by the growers and industry were discussed in detail.

Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Director General Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Faisalabad and Dr. Abid Mahmood, Chief executive PARB grace the occasion with their presence and shared their valuable thoughts. Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, Vice Chancellor, in his address, emphasized to develop a strong academia, Research and industry linkages.

As a take home message it was identified by the experts that farmers are facing problems due to unavailability of quality seed, high Input costs, an adequate storage facilities and market price fluctuations. It was further discussed that precision agriculture could be an alternative for a sustainable, cost effective and environmentally friendly Production system for potato cultivation.

In order to meet the workshop objectives stockholders strongly agreed to constitute a much needed partnership for the resolution of seed, storage and price factors on serious grounds. It was concluded that smart cultivation is the need of the time and due to limitation in labour availability agriculture mechanization is becoming inevitable.

The DDSDP project team demonstrated their strengths and initial work towards the mechanization in potato cultivation and further stressed that this work can be a way forward for future prospects. Organizer of the training workshop, Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan, Chairman Horticulture Department thanked the participants, scientist and industrial partners for sparing their time to make this event meaningful in order built a strong future collaboration.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Muree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk

Rawalpindi, August 26, 2021 (PPI-OT):Speakers at a seminar emphasized that water conservation and management was the only way to overcome the water crisis in the arid agricultural land of the Potohar region. The seminar titled ‘Water Conservation and Management in Potohar Region’ was organized by the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (FAE and T) in collaboration with the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi on August 24, 2021.

They stressed the need for small dams, rainwater harvesting and high-efficiency irrigation techniques to increase water storage, which will not only be beneficial for irrigation but also for people and livestock. Speakers from different organizations including Agency for Barani Area Development (ABAD), Agricultural Engineering Department, Directorate of Soil Conservation (DSC) and Water Management (DWM) Rawalpindi, Barani Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) were invited.

Participants shared their research and development activities related to water conservation and management. Dr. Jehanzeb Masud Cheema (In-charge FAE and T) and Eng. Malik Akbar briefed the participants about the objectives and scope of the seminar. PCRWR Chairman Dr. Mohammad Ashraf highlighted the way forward to address water challenges faced by the Potohar region.

He said water conservation and management in the Potohar region was the need of the hour and agriculture scientists should make their plans accordingly. He said every land had its uniqueness and biodiversity and being agriculture scientists, it was our responsibility to resolve water crisis issues by adopting modern techniques.

The Arid Varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr. Qamar uz Zaman, emphasized the need for collaboration and an integrated approach to address the water and agriculture productivity challenges. He appreciated the initiatives taken by different organizations related to water conservation in the Potohar region. Dr. Zaman recommended formulation of the research agenda keeping in view the future water needs to feed the rising population.

Earlier, speakers included ABAD Chief Quratul Ain Rasheed and soil scientist from DSC Dr. Attiqur Rehman, Dr. M Ramzan Ansar from BARI Chakwal and Engr. M Iqbal Chohan from DWM said small dams, rainwater harvesting and high-efficiency irrigation techniques could help the country increase its water storage to the international standard which would not only supplement the irrigation but also provide sufficient drinking water for livestock and people. They also highlighted the government support and work in the Potohar region to overcome the water crisis issue and their impact in the area.

In the end, chief guest Dr. Ashraf and Dr. Qamar uz Zaman distributed certificates and shields among the participants and guest speakers of the seminar. All stakeholders mutually agreed to extend collaboration for more productive outcomes.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Muree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk