Islamabad: The transformation of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is progressing under the leadership of Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, as a high-level Working Group conducted a comprehensive visit to the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) to evaluate research facilities, technologies, and ongoing programs.

According to Press Information Department, the Working Group on the Transformation of PARC includes Mr. Ahmed Umair, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Agriculture & Food Security; Dr. Syed Zahoor Hassan, Professor Emeritus and Former Vice Chancellor of LUMS, Lahore; and Rana Nasim Ahmed, Former Secretary (Agriculture), Government of Punjab.

The group visited several facilities, including NIGAB laboratories, the IoT-based Smart Glasshouse, Korea Aeroponics Complex, and other research stations and institutes dedicated to various aspects of agricultural research. The delegation was briefed on topics such as agricultural biotechnology, smart agriculture, genetic resources, and food safety.

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the transformation of PARC aims to modernize agricultural research, making it demand-driven and results-oriented with a focus on farmers’ needs and national food security. He emphasized that research should transition from laboratories to fields, resulting in practical solutions that enhance productivity and agricultural incomes.

The Minister highlighted the importance of modern agricultural technologies, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved crop varieties to boost Pakistan’s agricultural competitiveness. He directed that PARC’s research priorities align with emerging challenges and market requirements, ensuring strengthened coordination among research institutions and stakeholders.

The Working Group assessed the institutional capacity and research outputs of various NARC institutes and plans to develop recommendations to improve governance, research priorities, and technology transfer as part of the ongoing transformation process.