Islamabad: In a bid to enhance food security and competitiveness on the global stage, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, led a high-level meeting with Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), to discuss a comprehensive reform of the country’s agricultural research system. The reform aims to modernize research institutions nationwide to meet international standards, improve productivity, and strengthen export capabilities.
According to Press Information Department, the reforms are driven by the need to address inefficiencies caused by overlapping mandates between federal and provincial research bodies and the siloed nature of current research efforts. Minister Hussain stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary approaches and the timely commercialization of innovations, including vaccines, to ensure practical and economically viable outcomes.
Chairman Dr. Andrabi noted that the system’s human resources have been compromised over time, limiting its impact. He called for alignment of national research agendas with export and food security goals, facilitated by a new Digital NARIS Platform for collaboration and evidence-based decision-making. The formation of a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprising 50% foreign experts, will provide strategic oversight and align Pakistan’s research system with global standards.
The reform includes establishing Centers of Excellence focused on climate-resilient crops, livestock improvement, advanced food processing, AI and precision agriculture, and sustainable resource management. These centers aim to drive innovation and position Pakistan as a regional leader in agricultural research.
Minister Hussain concluded the meeting by reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s agricultural research into a globally competitive network, ensuring scientific research delivers tangible benefits for the nation’s farmers, industry, and food security objectives.