Pakistan, Australia to strengthen agri-research, biosecurity ties

September 04, 2026 (MLN):  Pakistan and Australia have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research, climate resilience, biosecurity, water management and agricultural trade.

The agreement came during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Dr Suzie Newman, General Manager Partnerships at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and the Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, said a press release issued..

The Federal Minister appreciated Australia's longstanding partnership with Pakistan through ACIAR, noting that cooperation in agricultural research has continued since 1984 and has contributed to research, capacity building and agricultural development.

He emphasised the need to translate research into practical, scalable and farmer-oriented solutions, particularly in climate-resilient agriculture, water management, crop improvement, horticulture and agricultural value chains.

The Australian side reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding partnership and expressed interest in further strengthening collaboration in areas aligned with Pakistan's agricultural priorities, highlighting ACIAR's focus on demand-driven, locally led research and translating outcomes into practical benefits for farmers.

The meeting also discussed opportunities to enhance Pakistan's agricultural and horticultural exports to Australia, particularly through addressing phytosanitary requirements, strengthening plant-health systems and facilitating market access, with the Australian side welcoming continued technical engagement between relevant institutions.

The Federal Minister highlighted agricultural biosecurity and plant health as key areas for expanded cooperation, proposing collaboration in pest identification, molecular diagnostics, DNA barcoding, pest surveillance, risk analysis, quarantine management and modern digital plant-health systems.

Both sides also discussed enhanced technical cooperation in climate- and weather-based pest forecasting, GIS-based surveillance, early-warning systems, invasive pest management and locust preparedness, including environmentally sustainable approaches to pest control.

ACIAR's ongoing Aik Saath programme was also discussed, with both sides recognising the importance of strengthening productive, sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Priority areas identified included water-use efficiency, climate-resilient irrigation, salinity and waterlogging management, wheat and pulse improvement, horticulture, post-harvest management and value-chain development.

The meeting reviewed the ACIAR-funded Water Resilience and Livelihood Improvement in the Southern Indus Basin project, with the Federal Minister calling for stronger involvement of relevant Pakistani research institutions to enhance technical implementation, national ownership and sustainability of the project.

The Australian side appreciated Pakistan's continued engagement in technical exchanges, capacity-building programmes and institutional cooperation, emphasising the value of collaboration among research institutions, government agencies and agricultural stakeholders.

Both sides agreed to identify new demand-driven and outcome-oriented research initiatives aligned with Pakistan's agricultural and food-security requirements, with emphasis on capacity building, researcher exchanges, technical expertise and practical solutions for farmers.

Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further deepening its longstanding partnership with Australia, particularly in food security, climate resilience, agricultural biosecurity, water management, crop improvement, horticulture and export development.

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