Islamabad: Pakistan-Korea cooperation in agricultural research and technology is enhancing Pakistan’s capacity to produce disease-free and quality potato seed locally, reducing dependence on imports and improving agricultural productivity. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, highlighted this initiative during a program at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
According to Press Information Department, the Pakistan-Korea Collaborative Project on Certified Seed Potato Production aims to develop a sustainable local seed system for the potato sector. The project, supported by the Government of Korea and the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA), focuses on certified seed production, modern aeroponic infrastructure, and capacity building. Pakistan targets producing 160,000 tonnes of certified potato seed annually, significantly meeting its seed requirements locally.
The initiative is designed to extend beyond research facilities, transferring modern agricultural technologies to farmers and the private sector. The approach seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and agricultural production, establishing a competitive potato value chain. The Federal Minister lauded Korea and KOPIA for their technical support, noting the project’s progress as a testament to the potential of bilateral cooperation in addressing agricultural challenges.
The Korean Ambassador affirmed the longstanding agricultural cooperation and highlighted the certified seed potato project as a practical example benefiting farmers directly. He expressed support for continued collaboration in modern agricultural technologies, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. Dr. Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), emphasized the Pakistan-Korea partnership’s role in strengthening the country’s certified seed production system and incorporating modern technologies to enhance productivity and reduce import reliance.
Participants in the program reviewed the project’s progress and visited NARC’s aeroponic and screen-house facilities, where they received briefings on research and technology development activities. The project represents a significant advancement in Pakistan-Korea agricultural cooperation, combining Korean technological expertise with Pakistani research capabilities to establish a robust local system for quality potato seed production.