SAU, NRSP to train farmers in Sindh

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Apr, 2026) The Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) and National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) have launched an initiative strengthen agricultural value chains, improve crop quality, and increase farmers’ incomes across the province.The varsity's spokesman informed here on Saturday that A-Z Agri Crop Pvt Ltd was also collaborating in the endeavor which envisioned active farmer participation to enhance the production and market value of fruits, vegetables and major crops in Sindh.He added that a meeting was also held in the university on Saturday with the participation of senior representatives from the public, private, and development sectors, holding detailed discussions with SAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal on strategic collaboration and long-term agricultural development.

According to him, the meeting focused on formulating a comprehensive and structured framework among SAU, NRSP, and A-Z Agri Crop Pvt Ltd to promote sustainable agricultural practices and develop efficient, market-oriented value chains for key crops.

The VC said the SAU had been producing skilled graduates in agriculture and allied sciences.He expressed hope that such partnerships would provide practical exposure to students while strengthening the province’s agricultural systems. Siyal appreciated NRSP’s efforts in promoting farmer-centered development models and expressed optimism about their long-term impact.The VC emphasized on the need of strengthening value chains to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food availability, and ensure better returns for farmers.

 He said by integrating research, extension services, and private sector innovation, a resilient and sustainable agricultural system could be developed to cope with climate challenges. Siyal suggested training of both students and farmers in climate-smart agriculture, digital farming tools, and efficient resource management.Dr Rashid Bajwa briefed participants on NRSP’s role and its partnership with A-Z Agri Crop in advancing crop value chain initiatives. He shared that targeted programs focusing on cotton and wheat value chains are being planned in Sindh to enhance productivity, improve market linkages, and create better income opportunities for farmers.

Bajwa stated that SAU students would actively participate in farmer and student field school programs which would be established at demonstration farms in selected districts. Drawing from successful initiatives in Punjab, he noted that similar projects in Sindh would cover the entire agricultural cycle — from farm planning and input optimization to post-harvest management and quality seed production — with a strong emphasis on climate-smart practices.The SAU's Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar highlighted that the proposed model would create a strong field-based learning environment for students while supporting young farming families. He noted that such integrated approaches were vital to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical farming.

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