ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday called for the modernisation and restructuring of research institutions across the country to boost crop productivity, meet international standards, and strengthen food security.
The minister made these remarks during a meeting held to discuss comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s national agricultural research system. The meeting was attended by Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), along with other senior officials.
Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed that scientific research must deliver tangible solutions for farmers, industry, and the country’s broader food security agenda. He noted that overlapping mandates between federal and provincial research bodies have led to inefficiencies, while many institutions continue to work in isolation.
He stressed that research efforts must move beyond siloed structures and adopt cross-disciplinary approaches to ensure practical and commercially viable outcomes. The minister also highlighted the urgent need to enhance technology transfer and commercialisation of innovations.
The minister pointed out that some innovations, including vaccines, have historically taken years to reach the market, whereas such technologies should ideally be commercialised within months.
The minister reiterated that the reform process aims to reposition Pakistan’s agricultural research system as a strategic enabler by shifting from budget-driven accountability to an impact-focused model that measures performance based on productivity, technology adoption, commercialisation, and export growth.
Dr Andrabi noted that the quality and quantity of human resources in the system have been compromised over time, limiting its ability to achieve high-impact results. He emphasized that Pakistan’s national research agendas must be aligned with export targets and food security goals, ensuring that all research efforts directly contribute to national priorities.To strengthen governance and strategic oversight, Dr. Andrabi announced the formation of the Board’s Scientific Advisory Committee, which will convene quarterly to review scientific priorities, set strategic directions, and benchmark performance against global standards.
The committee will comprise 50 percent foreign experts and different leading international institutions, ensuring that Pakistan’s research system is aligned with the best global practices.
Under the reform, Pakistan will establish Centers of Excellence focusing on climate-resilient crops, livestock improvement, advanced food processing, AI and precision agriculture, and sustainable land, water, and energy management.
These centers are designed to encourage innovation, accelerate the commercialisation of research, and position Pakistan as a regional leader in agricultural science and technology.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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