Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan says the government plans to train up to 10,000 youth in advanced agricultural technologies. He announced the launch of a three-year climate-resilient peanut value chain project in Rawalpindi.
The government plans to equip up to 10,000 young people with skills in advanced agricultural technologies, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said on Tuesday at the launch of a new climate-resilient peanut sector initiative.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the Climate Resilient Peanut Value Chain Development for Rural Enterprise and Economic Graduation Project, launched through a partnership agreement between the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. The three-year initiative is being financed by PPAF and will be carried out with technical support from the university.
The project will begin in the peanut-growing areas of Gujar Khan in Rawalpindi district and Fateh Jang in Attock district. According to details shared at the event, it is intended to promote climate-smart farming, raise output, improve value addition, build rural enterprises, create jobs and increase farmers’ earnings through research, innovation, entrepreneurship and stronger market connections.
Focus on skills and university linkages
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Khan said the government was making major investments in education, technical training, innovation and agricultural research as part of efforts to build a knowledge-based economy. He said universities should go beyond traditional degree programmes by incorporating technical qualifications, professional certifications and skills aligned with industry needs so graduates can remain competitive internationally.
He said the government, working with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and leading Chinese institutions, had introduced 21 modern technical trades in line with global industry requirements. He added that about 50 Pakistani universities were being connected with Chinese universities for research cooperation and technology transfer.
Mr Khan also said a leading Chinese agricultural university would work with PMAS-Arid Agriculture University to establish modern research facilities. Referring to the development of Pakistan’s olive sector, he said similar efforts in the peanut industry could help raise farmers’ incomes, support agribusiness and widen export prospects.
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Peanut value chain project targets productivity and enterprise
PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech said the agreement marked the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at reshaping the rural economy. He said the peanut project had been designed jointly after consultations with scientists, farmers, processors and market specialists to create what he described as Pakistan’s first integrated climate-resilient peanut value chain model.
Over three years, the project is expected to train around 2,000 farmers, micro, small and medium enterprises, and primary producers. It also aims to upgrade the university’s peanut processing facility into a demonstration and value-addition centre, set up a certified seed system producing between 8 and 12 tonnes of quality seed, and lift productivity from about 400 kilogrammes per acre to nearly 600kg per acre.
Mr Barech said the initiative would support up to 40 MSMEs, including women-led businesses, with at least 40 per cent participation from women and youth. It also plans to incubate two youth-led agribusiness startups and improve branding, packaging, access to finance and market linkages.
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He added that since 1997, PPAF has worked in 150 districts through 164 partner organisations. Its programmes, he said, have mobilised 2.67 million households, created 2.9 million jobs, provided 3.67 million interest-free loans and delivered skills training to 1.19 million people.
Reference Link:- https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/07/08/govt-to-train-10000-youth-advanced-agriculture-says-pms-aide