Federal Minister Rana Tanveer chairs a high-level meeting with Chinese delegation

Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : According to global times News Agency Europe,The government is seeking
assistance from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) to
restructure the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) into a
modern and vibrant institution capable of addressing emerging
agricultural challenges and ensuring national food security.Minister
for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Monday
held detailed discussions with a delegation of the Chinese Academy to
discuss transformation of PARC.The Chinese team shared their
experience of successfully transforming CAAS nearly two decades ago
and offered valuable insights into PARC’s reform process.They
identified financial constraints, limited incentives for scientists,
and restricted international collaborations as key hurdles for
PARC.They stressed the need for a competitive model supported by
long-term investment and stronger collaboration with the private
sector and international partners.Mr Hussain reiterated that reforming
PARC is a national priority and assured the government’s complete
support to expedite the process, and expressed confidence that with
China’s partnership and Pakistan’s commitment, PARC will emerge as a
strong and modern research institution capable of delivering
innovative solutions, enhancing agricultural productivity and securing
the country’s food future.The Chinese delegation was led by Ms Yan,
Consultant at the Department of International Cooperation of the
Chinese ministry of agriculture and rural affairs.She was accompanied
by Ms Long Wanrong, Consultant, Department of Personnel, Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs. She also serves as professor and
director at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, CAAS.Senior
experts Prof Jia Yaxiong, Director, Division of Science and Technology
Management, Institute of Animal Sciences, CAAS, was also included in
the delegation.Speaking to the Chinese delegation, Mr Hussain stressed
that agricultural research must be directly aligned with the needs of
farmers and industry, ensuring that scientific innovations are
translated into practical solutions that contribute to food security
and economic growth.He emphasised that the transformation roadmap for
PARC must include clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and
sustainable investment mechanisms. The minister also underlined the
importance of rewarding scientists for their innovations, noting that
talent retention requires an incentive structure linked to
commercialisation of research.The minister welcomed the proposal for
reciprocal visits and exchange programmes between PARC and CAAS,
stressing that Pakistani scientists must benefit from firsthand
exposure to CAAS’s research model. He further noted that the MoU
signed earlier between PARC and CAAS will now be operationalised to
give concrete shape to joint efforts.The Chinese delegation also
visited PARC and during meeting with agricultural experts, expressed
strong support for future cooperation between CAAS and PARC.We are
committed to continuing our support for Pakistan’s agricultural
advancement. Strengthening this partnership will be critical for
ensuring food and nutritional security in both countries,” the head of
Chinese delegation said.Secretary of National Food Security and
Research, Amir Mohyuddin while discussing Pak-China collaboration in
the agricultural sector, emphasised the critical role of innovation
and international collaboration in shaping the future of agriculture
in Pakistan.The challenges we face — climate change, water scarcity,
declining soil fertility, and a rapidly growing population — require
science-driven, innovative solutions. International collaboration,
particularly with China, offers Pakistan a historic opportunity to
modernise agriculture and strengthen food security,” he said.During
discussions, PARC Chairman Dr Syed Hassan Andrabi said that despite
limited resources, PARC continues to play a pivotal role in boosting
the national economy through research and innovation.We see immense
potential in joint ventures with China to address mutual challenges,
particularly in climate change adaptation, food insecurity, and
sustainable production systems,” he stated.Dr Andrabi proposed the
establishment of Centre of Excellence at PARC — National Agricultural
Research Centre (NARC) on CAAS model, focused on high-impact research
for food security, climate-resilient technologies, and sustainable
agricultural development.This visit marks a renewed chapter in
China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation, where innovation, technology
transfer, and sustainable practices will form the foundation of a
shared future.The proposed Centre of Excellence at NARC is expected to
serve as a flagship project under this collaboration, showcasing
China-Pakistan agricultural friendship as a model for the region.