The Kisan Mela at the University Research Farm on Chakwal Road in Koont brought farmers, researchers and industry partners together to explore modern farming practices and technologies. Organized by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, the event aimed to encourage local adoption of precision agriculture and smart IoT solutions to boost yields, reduce input costs and add value to agricultural produce.
The Mela was jointly inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman and former MNA Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas. A large gathering included international and national agricultural experts, progressive farmers, representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan, Green Pakistan Initiative and Fatima Fertilizers, along with deans, directors, faculty, administration and students.
Addressing attendees, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman underlined that Pakistan must adopt concrete reforms in agriculture as global practices evolve. He emphasised that precision agriculture and smart IoT technologies are the future and said Potohar’s fertile land can become a major production hub with targeted innovation. He also noted that Punjab’s Government Agriculture Transformation Program is expected to support higher productivity and a rise in agricultural exports.
Raja Muhammad Javed Ikhlas praised the university’s efforts and urged farmers to shift from traditional methods to modern approaches that can secure livelihoods, strengthen national food security and generate foreign exchange through exports. He described the Kisan Mela as a hopeful sign for the sector’s future and Pakistan’s potential to join global agricultural exporters.
Farmers who attended the Kisan Mela welcomed the guidance provided by the university and industry representatives, saying practical demonstrations and awareness stalls helped address local agricultural challenges. The event combined technical displays with community activities, and traditional sports such as horse riding, javelin throwing and bull racing were organised with prizes awarded to participants.
The day-long gathering at Koont highlighted the intersection of research, policy and farmer engagement, with a clear focus on scaling precision agriculture and smart IoT solutions across the Potohar region to improve profitability and market readiness for agricultural products.
