Pakistan, China unveil plan to modernize agricultural research with joint labs and training programs

Pakistan and China have developed a comprehensive cooperation plan aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural research network through joint innovation, advanced laboratories, and training programs, officials said on Wednesday.

The plan, jointly prepared by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), followed an evaluation of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and 11 other research institutes under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR).

It proposes a structural overhaul supported by domestic reforms and a broader China-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Framework to drive long-term modernization. Joint research programs will target key crops, including wheat, rice, maize, cotton, and horticulture, as well as livestock management and sustainable technologies. Priority areas include climate-resilient crop varieties, water-efficient irrigation systems, pest and disease control, and livestock disease management.

The plan calls for the establishment of joint laboratories equipped for crop genotyping, phenotyping, and high-tech agricultural applications, supporting innovation in food processing, value addition, and farm machinery indigenization.

Human resource development is a central component, with bilateral exchange programs, PhD and postdoctoral fellowships, short-term technical training, and senior scientist exchanges to strengthen Pakistan’s research capacity.

A new technology transfer model will include Technology Transfer Units (TTUs) to manage intellectual property, licensing, and commercialization, coordinated by a National Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre. Researchers and institutes will receive 50–70 percent of commercialization proceeds to encourage innovation.

The plan also envisions linking national research to regional demonstration hubs and farmer training centers, ensuring technologies reach the field. Oversight will be provided by a high-level implementation committee comprising representatives from MNFSR, PARC, and key stakeholders to monitor progress, set milestones, and ensure accountability.