Pakistan, Kazakhstan explore agriculture cooperation

January 16, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed to explore structured cooperation in agriculture and food security, with a focus on productivity, climate resilience and value chain development.

The understanding emerged during talks on the sidelines of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2026 in Berlin, where Rana Tanveer Hussain, Pakistan’s federal minister for national food security and research, met Azat Sultanov, Kazakhstan’s vice minister for agriculture.

The two sides discussed building institutional linkages and technical-level engagement to translate shared priorities into measurable outcomes for farmers, according to the press release.

The interaction focused on practical collaboration aimed at improving farm productivity, strengthening resilience to climate stress and enhancing knowledge-sharing on modern agricultural practices.

Kazakhstan expressed readiness to broaden engagement through structured cooperation between relevant institutions and technical bodies, while Pakistan highlighted the need for partnerships that support value-chain development and sustainable farm outcomes.

The talks came as Pakistan faces mounting climate-related risks to agriculture, which employs nearly 38% of the country’s workforce and contributes around 23% to GDP, while Kazakhstan continues to expand its role as a regional supplier of grains and agri-commodities.

Greater cooperation could help Pakistan stabilise output and improve food security amid increasing weather volatility and input cost pressures.

In a separate meeting, the Pakistani minister held discussions with Stefan Schmitz, executive director of the Crop Trust, on cooperation to conserve and utilise crop diversity.

The talks centred on developing climate-resilient crops to address heat, drought, pests and diseases, with Pakistan inviting the organisation to consider establishing a presence in the country to deepen research and development collaboration.

Crop Trust officials underscored that safeguarding genetic resources is critical for long-term food security, improved nutrition and the resilience of farming systems, particularly in climate-vulnerable countries.

Expanded engagement with Pakistani institutions was discussed to help link conservation efforts with farmer-relevant solutions.

Pakistan’s participation in GFFA 2026 reflects its broader effort to align agricultural policy with global best practices on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management and international cooperation.

Global food systems continue to face pressure from climate shocks and supply disruptions.

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