Sindh Agriculture University Budget Approved
TANDOJAM: The 30th Senate meeting of Sindh Agriculture University was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards and Pro-Chancellor Muhammad Ismail Rahu, with Vice Chancellor Engr Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal also in attendance. The senate reviewed key academic and financial matters and approved several important decisions.
The three-point agenda included confirmation of the minutes of the 29th Senate meeting, review of the action taken report, and presentation of the budget estimates for the fiscal year 2025–26.
Director Finance Syed Fida Hussain Shah presented the financial details. He reported that during fiscal year 2023–24, total receipts stood at Rs3,536.697 million while expenditures reached Rs3,432.350 million. Under the revised budget for 2024–25, total available resources were estimated at Rs4,030.783 million against expenditures of Rs4,047.958 million. For 2025–26, total available resources are projected at Rs4,390.553 million, with expected expenditures of Rs4,821.288 million.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Ismail Rahu said universities remain a top priority of the Sindh government, noting that university grants have increased nearly sevenfold since 2020–21 — rising from Rs6 billion to Rs43 billion. He described the performance of the university as commendable but warned that climate change poses serious risks to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, wildlife and forestry sectors.
He identified the shortage of certified seed in Sindh as a major challenge and stressed the need for expanded research in soil, water, fertilisers, pesticides and sustainable farming practices. He added that the provincial government is supporting farmers through watercourse lining, provision of agricultural machinery, targeted subsidies and farmer card schemes.
Vice Chancellor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said the university is focusing on better use of internal resources and modernization of teaching departments and laboratories. He noted that new market-driven academic programmes are being introduced, while scholarships, internships and fieldwork opportunities are being expanded to strengthen students’ professional skills. However, he acknowledged that the university continues to face financial constraints.
Participants included the Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro University of Art Design and Heritages Prof Dr Arabella Bhutto, educationist Ahsan Laghari, and Chairman of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Hyderabad Zahid Ali Channar, along with deans and senior administrative officers.
Prof Dr Ejaz Ali Khoharo also presented the university’s annual performance report, highlighting academic achievements, research progress and institutional development initiatives.
