Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University (KPAU), Peshawar and the Regional Institute of Policy Research & Training (RIPORT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday on the basis of which they will assist one another in preparing and launching joint projects in the flood affected areas in the province and Fata.
The Vice Chancellor of Agriculture University, Khan Bahadar Marwat and Chairman RIPORT Khalid Aziz - former Chief Secretary NWFP, signed the agreement at a simple ceremony where the senior members of both the institutions were also present.
Under the terms of the MoU, both parties would assist through projects the people of the flood affected areas that will include assistance across the agriculture, water and livestock sectors as it related to livelihoods. It was also decided to create joint projects for funding in different areas.
The Chairman RIPORT Khalid Aziz said, "This University could be the engine of growth and would bring positive changes in the livelihood of the affected people of the region." In response VC Agricultural University Peshawar Khan Bahadar Marwat said, "We will meet the challenges through collaboration with RIPORT and it will fulfil the hope under which the University was created many years ago."
Experts say that public and private partnerships of this nature could bring many positive results for the poor farmers and peasants of this province and Fata. RIPORT also distributed food items in the flood affected areas of Pabbi and Nowshehra from funds donated by the residents of the Isle of Man. RIPORT has planned to provide food items to more than 200 families affected by flood. RIPORT is a non-profit organisation and has been active in flood relief works and has provided relief to flood affectees by distribution of food items in different areas of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (PK).