PARC restructuring set to drive innovation and food security

October 31, 2025 (MLN):  Major reforms are underway to revitalize Pakistan’s agricultural research system under a comprehensive roadmap developed with support from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

The plan, reviewed during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, focuses on transforming the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) into a modern, innovation-driven institution capable of advancing national food security and sustainable agricultural growth, said a press release issued.

During the session, PARC Chairman Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi presented detailed findings from the Chinese delegation’s joint study, which evaluated the performance, infrastructure, and institutional capacity of PARC, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and its eleven affiliated research institutes.

The assessment identified chronic underfunding, outdated facilities, weak commercialization of research, and a continuing brain drain due to inadequate incentives and promotion structures as major challenges hindering progress.

The Strategic Reform and Cooperation Plan proposes sustainable funding mechanisms, efficient performance evaluation systems, and stronger connections between researchers and farming communities.

It further emphasizes aligning research priorities with national goals of food security, climate resilience, and economic development through the creation of a National Agricultural Science and Technology Roadmap.

To ensure that research translates effectively into practice, the plan recommends establishing Technology Transfer Units (TTUs) in all major institutes, a National Agricultural Technology Transfer Center, and regional demonstration hubs.

It also envisions deepening China–Pakistan cooperation through joint laboratories, capacity-building programs, and collaborative research on climate-resilient crops, water-efficient irrigation, pest management, livestock improvement, and local production of hi-tech agricultural machinery.

Commending the Chinese partners for their support, Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the MARA–CAAS recommendations in letter and spirit.

He shared the formation of a high-level implementation committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, PARC, and other stakeholders to oversee the timely execution of the reform plan with clear milestones and accountability mechanisms.

Terming the restructuring of PARC a national priority, the Minister said the initiative is vital for enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and driving sustainable economic growth.

He expressed confidence that, with the collaboration of Chinese experts and Pakistan’s scientific community, PARC will soon evolve into a world-class research organization leading the country’s agricultural transformation.

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