Pakistan has launched a major overhaul of its agricultural research system with support from China, aiming to modernize research, improve food security, and enhance export competitiveness.
The initiative was discussed in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, alongside PARC Chairman Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi. The focus was on restructuring Pakistan’s agricultural innovation framework, with help from Chinese institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Key reforms include the development of a Digital National Agricultural Research Information System (NARIS) and the creation of Centers of Excellence in areas like climate-resilient crops, livestock development, and precision agriculture. These centers will foster technology transfer and agribusiness development.
The initiative aims to shorten the commercialization cycle of agricultural innovations, ensuring quicker access to solutions like vaccines and seed technologies. A Scientific Advisory Committee with international experts, including Chinese specialists, will monitor research progress and guide priorities.
This collaboration is part of the broader second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), focusing on industrialization and agricultural modernization. Minister Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s agricultural sector into an innovation-driven system that strengthens food security and economic resilience.
