The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) is facing a significant hurdle as it grapples with a lack of projects, rendering the institution virtually “dysfunctional.
” The absence of new research initiatives in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2025-26 has brought research activities at the National Agricultural Research Centre (Narc) to a standstill. This development comes despite government assurances of prioritizing agriculture in the country.
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The Parc has become virtually dysfunctional due to the absence of new projects in the PSDP. It is concerning to see such a critical institution facing challenges,
” noted an expert in agricultural policy.
The impact of this stagnation is palpable as only one project, focused on producing certified potato seeds with South Korea’s assistance, is currently operational. Several ongoing projects, including those aimed at increasing pulse production and upgrading the Mountain Research Centre in Gilgit-Baltistan, have been put on hold. This shift has raised questions about the government’s commitment to agricultural research and development.
Commenting on this situation, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of Parc, highlighted that none of the approved schemes for 2025-26 involve research activities at Narc. This lack of focus on crucial research areas could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
Experts point out that investing in agricultural research is essential for boosting productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Without adequate funding and support for research initiatives, Pakistan risks falling behind in innovation and technology adoption in agriculture.
In response to budget constraints imposed by fiscal obligations, several planned projects under Parc have been curtailed or excluded from the ministry’s development budget. This reduction in funding has directly impacted vital schemes aimed at advancing agricultural technologies and practices across different regions of Pakistan.
Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary, National Food Security Secretary, highlighted how financial constraints led to a significant decrease in the ministry’s development budget. He emphasized that these constraints have forced difficult decisions regarding project priorities and allocations.
The exclusion of proposed projects like the Dates Research Centre at Khairpur has drawn criticism from stakeholders concerned about promoting specific sectors within agriculture. These projects were envisioned to address key challenges faced by farmers and enhance productivity levels through targeted interventions.
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Agricultural research plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and sustainability within farming communities. Neglecting such crucial aspects can hinder progress and economic growth,” remarked an agricultural economist familiar with Pakistan’s farming landscape.
Established in 1981, Parc was tasked with spearheading collaborative research efforts with federal and provincial institutions to address pressing challenges within agriculture. The organization plays a critical role in driving scientific advancements tailored to local conditions while ensuring food security for millions across Pakistan.
Despite initial plans to include 15 projects in the PSDP for 2025-26, bureaucratic processes eventually led to their exclusion from finalized budgets due to cost considerations. This setback underscores broader systemic issues related to resource allocation for critical sectors like agriculture that are essential for national development.
Furthermore, proposals such as creating an endowment fund aimed at bolstering agricultural research capabilities were also turned down due to financial constraints—a decision experts believe could impede long-term sustainability efforts within Parc.
Investments targeting climate-resilient crops like pistachios, almonds,walnuts,and pecan nuts represent important steps towards building resilient agroecosystems amid changing environmental conditions across provinces like Balochistan.The cultivation,promotion,and dissemination strategies associated with these high-value crops can help diversify income streams for farmers while ensuring environmental sustainability over time.Experts stress that innovative approaches focusing on niche crops hold immense potential given their adaptability,resilience,and market demand both domestically
and internationally.
The establishmentof specialized institutes,suchasthedate palmresearchcenterinKhairpur,servesasacriticalhubfor knowledge sharing,researchcollaborations,and technology transfer.This initiative not only supports local economies dependentonagriculture butalsopaveswayforadvancedpost-harvest managementpracticesthatcanenhanceproductqualityandsustainabilityacross value chains.
Addressingspecificchallengeslikebreedingstrongercattleandbuffalo can significantly improve livestock yields contributingtodomesticfoodsecurityandincomegenerationwithinruralcommunities.Incorporating advancedtechnologiesandbestpracticesintolivestockmanagementstrategiesisessentialtoensuringlong-term viabilityandanincreaseinmeatandmilkproductionlevels.
Capacitybuildingeffortsfocusedonadvancingagriculturalmachineryresearcharecrucialforimproving efficiency,reducingmanuallaborrequirements,andenhancingoverallproductivitywithinfarmingoperations.Thisequipsfarmerswiththenecessarytoolsandknowledge topursuesustainablefarmingmethodsthatcanboostyieldswithminimalenvironmentalimpactover time.
Establishingdegree-awardinginstituteswithinParccantransformthelocalresearchlandscapebyequipping youngscientistsandresearchersththeskills,knowledge,andexpertisetoundertakecutting-edgeprojects addressingcontemporarychallengesinhorticulture,livestockmanagement,cropscience,andsoilhealth.Thishelps nurturehomegrownexpertswhocanleadinnovativeagriculturalresearchinitiativesaimedatsolving complexissuesfacingthefarmingcommunitywhiledrivingtechnologicaladvancementsintheagriculturalsector.Withsupportivepolicyframeworksandsustainedinvestmentinthesekeyareas,Pakistan hasthepotentialtonotonlyrevolutionizeitsagriculturalsectorbutalsobecomeapioneerinsustainablefarming practicesregionallyandglobally.
In conclusion,the current challenges faced by Parcdemandurgentattentionfrompolicymakers,stakeholders,andthe general publictoensurethatcriticalresearchactivitiesareadequatelysupportedfinanciallyandinstitutionally.Agriculturalresearchremainsavitalcomponentoffosteringinnovation,sustainability,andresiliencywithinfarmingcommunitiesacrossthecountry.Addressingenabling factorslimitingsucheffortsiscriticaltogeneratingpositiveoutcomesforbothfarmersandeliteinvestorsexploring opportunitieswithintheagrifoodsector.Byprioritizinginvestmentsinkeyareaslikeclimate-resilientcropspromotion,livestockbreeding,machineryresea rch,capacitydevelopment
inandadvancedtrainingprograms,Pakistan canlayafoundationforgrowthandalastingimpactonthesectorallengthisperspectivesupersedesbeyondnational boundariescontributingtowardsglobalfoodsecuritygoalsandanenvironmentallysustainablefuture forall.
Thisillustrateshowmulti-dimensionalapproachestoresearchanddevelopmentcanunlockunprecedented opportunitiesfordrivingchange,inclusion,andgrowthwithinautonomousentitieslikethePakistanAgriculturalResearchCouncil.Ultimately,itisthecollectiveeffortsofallstakeholderstoencouragesynergies,collaborations,
andinclusiveengagementsthatarewarrantedfortacklingpresentchallenges,builddingresiliencyagainstfutureuncertainties,
andexploringnewfrontiersofopportunitywithinPakistan’svibrantagrarianlandscape.
AsPakistancontinuestostraddlebetweencompetingdemandsforeconomicgrowthandenvironmentalconservation,itbecomesincreasinglynecessaryforthecountrytomaintainbalanceandrationalitywhenchartingtowardsapositivesocio-economictrajectory.Withadherenceto bestpractices,internationalstandardsandon-groundrealities,Pakistancanimplementtargetedstrategiesthatareinclusive,dynamic,
andsustainableinsupportofitsvisionforgreaterprosperityandinclusivedevelopmentforallsegmentsindigenouspopulations.Nowmorethanever,nurturingtalent,harnessinginnovation,
andinvestinginthefutureofyoungmindsaredireprioritiestoensurelong-termcompetitiveness,resilience,
andrelevanceintheglobaleconomy.Pakistan’srichagriculturallandscapeposessignificantuntappedpotentialwhichwhenleveragedthroughrobustsupportsystems,capacity-buildinginitiatives,fundingmechanisms,strategicpartnerships,
andanenablingregulatoryenvironmentcanpropelsustainablesolutionsforcurrentandoftentimescomplex societal,challenges.Whiletherearenodoubtsabouttheroadaheadbeingfraughtwithnumerousobstaclesandsystemicconstraints,itisthisverydeterminationtocreateaninclusive,pathforward—rootedinaction-oriented,policy-drivendecision-making—thatwillshapeaflourishing futureforallcitizensupto2030andbeyond.Thetiminghasneverbeenmoreopportuneforboldstepsincollaborationwithstate,private-sectoracademia,toignitewavesoftransformationaldynamismandprogresswithoutlimitations
