Govt overhauls agricultural research to boost productivity

March 12, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan is set to reform its national agricultural research system, aimed to modernize institutions, boost productivity, and strengthen both food security and export competitiveness.

The move addresses long-standing inefficiencies caused by overlapping mandates between federal and provincial research bodies and the isolation of many institutions, which have limited the impact of scientific research in agriculture.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, said research must adopt cross-disciplinary approaches and ensure practical, commercially viable outcomes.

He highlighted delays in technology transfer and commercialization, noting that some innovations, including vaccines, have historically taken years to reach the market, whereas they should ideally be commercialized within months.

The Minister emphasized the need for robust coordination among all research bodies, systematic international partnerships, and merit-based human capital development to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific excellence.

Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), noted that the quality and quantity of human resources in the system have declined, limiting the ability to achieve high-impact results.

He said national research agendas will now be aligned with export targets and food security goals to ensure all research contributes directly to national priorities.

Dr. Andrabi also proposed establishing the Digital NARIS Platform, a centralized data repository and shared research facility to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based decision-making.

To strengthen governance and strategic oversight, the PARC Board will form a Scientific Advisory Committee that convenes quarterly to review priorities, set strategic directions, and benchmark performance against global standards.

Half of the committee members will be foreign experts, including specialists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and other leading international institutions, to align Pakistan’s research system with best global practices.

The reform will establish Centers of Excellence focused on climate-resilient crops, livestock improvement, advanced food processing, AI and precision agriculture, and sustainable land, water, and energy management.

These centers are designed to encourage innovation, accelerate commercialization of research, and position Pakistan as a regional leader in agricultural science and technology.

The government aims to shift the research system from a budget-driven accountability model to an impact-focused framework that measures performance based on productivity, adoption of technology, commercialization, and export growth.

The coordinated approach, backed by strategic oversight and modern infrastructure, is expected to improve research quality, increase commercialization, and contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

This comprehensive reform reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that scientific research delivers tangible solutions for farmers, the agricultural industry, and the nation’s broader food security agenda.

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