Agricultural University in Hyderabad, Sindh

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Profile:

Al Zayan Group is a diversified business organization with interests across a wide range of sectors, including textile manufacturing, aerospace and defense, agriculture, automotive, BFSI, chemicals and materials, construction and manufacturing, electronics and semiconductors, energy and mining, food and beverages, healthcare, packaging, technology and media, transportation and logistics, and other industrial activities. Building on its growing business portfolio and experience in agribusiness, Al Zayan Group intends to establish a state-of-the-art “Al Zayan Group Agricultural University of Sciences and Technology” in Hyderabad, Sindh, one of Pakistan’s key agricultural regions. The proposed institution will focus on advancing agricultural sciences through modern technology, research, innovation, and practical learning. It will aim to provide high-quality academic programs, advanced research facilities, and industry-linked training to develop skilled professionals capable of supporting sustainable agricultural growth, technological innovation, and improved productivity across Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing significantly to the GDP and providing employment to a large portion of the population. Sindh, with its fertile lands and diverse climatic conditions, has immense potential for agricultural development. Sindh province has 3.8 million hectares of arable land, which is about 17% of the country’s total cropped area. Sindh is a major agricultural province in Pakistan.

The province’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which includes crops like cotton, rice, wheat, sugarcane, bananas, and mangoes. The province’s rural economy is based on irrigated agriculture, with 77% of the agricultural land being irrigated.

However, Sindh faces water scarcity issues, especially during the summer months.The province’s crop growing season is several weeks earlier than other provinces in Pakistan. Recognising the need for modernising agriculture through innovation and research, the Al-Maidah  Group of Companies proposes the establishment of a state-of-the-art Agricultural University in Sindh.

Phased Development Plan

    1. Enhanced agricultural productivity and rural development.

      Phase I: Establishment (Years 1–3).
      Goals:
      Acquisition of land and basic infrastructure development.
      Hiring of initial faculty and staff.
      Establishment of specialised institutes, including:
      Institute of Smart Agriculture Engineering Technology and Precision Farming.
      Institute of Climate-Resilient Agriculture.
      Institute of Value Addition and Food Processing.
      Institute of Agri-Business and Entrepreneurship.
      Institute of Water and Soil Sciences.
      Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology.
      Institute of Artificial Insemination
      Institute of Genomic Molecular Biology
      Launch of undergraduate programs in key disciplines (agriculture, agronomy, soil science, water resource management, animal science, agricultural engineering, etc.).
      Development of basic facilities, including administrative blocks, classrooms and labs.

      Budget Allocation Estimates:
      Land acquisition: PKR 3 billion
      Infrastructure (buildings, classrooms, labs): PKR 5 billion
      Equipment and technology: PKR 2 billion
      Faculty hiring and operational costs: PKR 1 billion
      Total for Phase I: PKR 11 billion
      Phase II: Expansion (Years 4–6).

      Goals:
      Establishment of specialized research centres (e.g., climate-resilient crops, water management).
      Introduction of postgraduate and doctoral programs.
      Development of experimental farms for hands-on learning.
      Strengthening collaboration with local farmers and stakeholders.

      Budget Allocation Estimates:
      Specialized research centres: PKR 3 billion
      Experimental farms and facilities: PKR 2 billion
      Faculty and staff expansion: PKR 1.5 billion
      International partnerships and training programs: PKR 1 billion

      Total for Phase II: PKR 7.5 billion
      Phase III: Consolidation (Years 7–10).

      Goals:
      Strengthening institutional capacity and governance.
      Upgrading infrastructure and technology to global standards.
      Establishment of endowment funds for research and scholarships.
      Enhancing global ranking and research impact.

      Budget Allocation Estimates:
      Infrastructure upgrades: PKR 2 billion
      Endowment and scholarships: PKR 1.5 billion
      Technology upgrades: PKR 1 billion
      Marketing and global engagement: PKR 0.5 billion

      Total for Phase III: PKR 5 billion
      Cumulative Budget Estimates:
      Phase I: PKR 11 billion
      Phase II: PKR 7.5 billion
      Phase III: PKR 5 billion

      Grand Total: PKR 23.5 billion

      Objective:The proposed agricultural university in Sindh will be a transformative project, enabling the province to lead in innovation, sustainability and economic growth. It is essential for meeting the challenges of the 21st century and ensuring the prosperity of future generations.