Minister for Agriculture Punjab Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to review the university’s work in hydroponics and controlled environment farming. The minister was received by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman alongside the Registrar, deans, directors and senior faculty, and he commended the institution’s applied research aimed at sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
The minister highlighted the new 2-Marla rooftop hydroponic project as a key innovation to transform urban and peri-urban spaces into productive green zones. He said the Government of Punjab is determined to make modern farming technologies accessible so families can grow organic vegetables at home, improve household nutrition and reduce food expenses. The proposed project will be expedited and submitted to the Chief Minister Punjab for immediate approval.
Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo praised the university’s research environment and reiterated that the Agriculture Department intends to make the Rooftop Hydroponics system available on a subsidized basis to encourage adoption at the grassroots level. He underlined ongoing coordination with agricultural universities across the province to implement practical projects through mutual cooperation.
The minister instructed PMAS-AAUR leadership and the agriculture department to scale up collaboration for joint research, technology transfer and farmer awareness programs. Emphasis was placed on empowering both farmers and non-farming citizens with the knowledge and tools required for modern agriculture, including low-cost and locally adaptable solutions developed through faculty-led initiatives.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman thanked the minister and secretary for their interest and assured continued support for the Agriculture Transformation Plan of the Chief Minister Punjab. He noted that the university is actively engaged in mega research projects, modern laboratories and patent work focused on practical technologies for small-scale farmers, reinforcing the role of institutions in strengthening food security through innovation.
The visit underscores Punjab’s push toward urban farming and sustainable food systems, with rooftop hydroponics presented as a scalable model to increase household production, promote healthy living and contribute to provincial efforts to modernize agriculture.
