**PMAS-Arid Agriculture University and Pakistan Dairy Association Forge Partnership for Food Security and Agricultural Advancement**
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at advancing collaborative research and development in food security, nutrition, livestock improvement, and sustainable agriculture. The initiative is set to strengthen linkages between academia and industry, fostering innovation and training opportunities for Pakistan’s agriculture and dairy sectors.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, Vice Chancellor of PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, and Dr. Shehzad Amin, Chief Executive Officer of the PDA. The signing ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. Muhammad Zubair, Manager Operations at PDA, and Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Director Corporate Affairs at FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan, reflecting broad industry engagement and support.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that the agreement represents a concrete step toward sustainable development, enhanced food security, and technical capacity building for Pakistani youth. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to equipping farmers, food industry professionals, and dairy experts with modern agricultural education and practical skills through applied research initiatives. The Vice Chancellor also announced the launch of joint projects and internship programs with PDA, targeting areas such as livestock health, adoption of advanced dairy technologies, value addition, and upgrades to the food value chain—ensuring world-class training and exposure for students.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Shehzad Amin of the PDA underscored the association’s dedication to bridging the gap between research institutions and the practical needs of the dairy industry. He expressed confidence that this partnership would become a benchmark model for universities nationwide, promoting wider collaboration and knowledge exchange across the sector.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two organizations will jointly conduct research projects and organize training workshops focusing on nutrition, livestock breeding, enhancing milk and meat production, waste management, and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies. This multifaceted cooperation aims to address pressing challenges facing Pakistan’s food and agriculture systems.
The ceremony concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer—laying the groundwork for significant advances in agricultural development and progress toward food self-sufficiency in Pakistan.
