Islamabad: Pakistan is opening new avenues for cooperation with Russia in agricultural technology, investment, and seed development, following detailed discussions held between Pakistani officials and a delegation from the Russian agricultural company, Schelkovo Agrohim, accompanied by Russian Embassy officials. The discussions focused on field trials of Russian seeds and pesticides in Pakistan, technology transfer, local production, and joint investment opportunities.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting, led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, aimed to forge a partnership that extends beyond the import of finished products to include local production and capacity building of Pakistani experts. The discussions highlighted the need for advanced agricultural technologies and seeds that can enhance productivity and resilience to environmental stresses.
The Russian delegation provided insight into Schelkovo Agrohim’s capabilities in crop protection, pesticides, and seed development for various crops, including non-GMO maize seeds. Effective pest and disease management in crops like cotton, rice, and sugarcane were identified as potential areas for collaboration.
Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the importance of climate-resilient technologies and drought-tolerant seeds in addressing climate change challenges. He advocated for partnerships in joint breeding programs, technology transfer, and local seed multiplication.
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and National Agricultural Research Centre were proposed as platforms for evaluating Russian agricultural technologies under local conditions. The meeting also explored initiating field trials of Russian seeds in Pakistan, particularly with the upcoming wheat sowing season, to assess their performance under local conditions.
During the meeting, discussions with the Department of Plant Protection were mentioned regarding the regulatory requirements for pesticides. The potential establishment of accredited testing laboratories in Pakistan was also discussed.
The Federal Minister assured the Russian delegation of government support in facilitating partnerships with Pakistani businesses, exploring various cooperation models, and welcoming Russian investment and technology transfer. Both sides considered formalizing future cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding or Letter of Intent.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to advance technical and regulatory engagement, facilitate local testing of Russian products, and identify potential business partners for future collaboration.