Pakistan is set to undertake a major restructuring of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) under a Strategic Reform and Cooperation Plan developed with technical support from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with Chairman PARC, Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, to review the proposed plan. During the meeting, the Chairman PARC presented the detailed findings of the Chinese delegation, which were prepared after a comprehensive joint study conducted to assess the performance, infrastructure, and capabilities of PARC, NARC, and its eleven research institutes. The joint assessment aimed to identify the structural gaps in Pakistan’s agricultural research system and to propose a roadmap for institutional revitalization in line with global scientific standards.
The Chinese report identified several critical challenges faced by PARC, including chronic underinvestment, outdated laboratories and equipment, weak research commercialization, and the persistent issue of brain drain caused by inadequate incentives and seniority-based promotions. It further emphasized that overcoming these constraints requires a holistic reform strategy focused on sustainable funding, efficient performance evaluation, stronger linkages between research and farmers, and enhanced coordination between federal and provincial research bodies.
The reform plan also underscored the need for aligning research priorities with national goals of food security, climate resilience, and economic growth through the development of a National Agricultural Science and Technology Roadmap.
The proposed framework places special emphasis on effective technology transfer by establishing Technology Transfer Units (TTUs) in all major institutes, a National Agricultural Technology Transfer Center, and regional demonstration hubs to ensure that research outcomes are practically applied in the field. The plan also envisions deeper China–Pakistan cooperation in agricultural science and technology through joint laboratories, capacity-building programs, and collaborative research in areas such as climate-resilient crop varieties, water-efficient irrigation systems, pest and disease management, livestock breed improvement, and indigenization of hi-tech farm machinery.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer Hussain commended the efforts of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) for their valuable support in preparing a forward-looking reform roadmap for Pakistan’s agricultural research sector. He stated that the Government of Pakistan is fully committed to transforming PARC into a modern, efficient, and innovation-driven institution capable of leading the country’s food security agenda. The Minister emphasized that the government would implement the MARA–CAAS recommendations in letter and spirit to make PARC a hub of agricultural advancement, ensuring that farmers directly benefit from modern technology, value addition, and research-based solutions.
Rana Tanveer Hussain directed the formation of a high-level implementation committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, PARC, and other key stakeholders to ensure the timely execution of the reform plan with clear milestones and accountability mechanisms. He reiterated that the restructuring of PARC is not merely an administrative exercise but a national priority essential for boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and achieving sustainable economic growth. The Minister expressed confidence that, with the collaboration of Chinese partners and the dedication of Pakistan’s scientific community, PARC will soon emerge as a world-class agricultural research institution contributing effectively to national development.
