FAISALABAD: Experts at UAF on Thursday called for enhancing domestic edible oil production, and create regenerative systems and its marketing model for oil seed to curtail heavy reliance on imported edible oil crossing $4 billion per annum.
They addressed International Workshop on “Regenerative Systems for Oilseeds and its Marketing Model” organized by the Oilseeds Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that Pakistan spends billions of dollars annually on edible oil imports despite having favourable agro-climatic conditions for oilseed crops. “There is an urgent need to shift towards regenerative and climate-smart oilseed systems based indigenous seed development, and farmer-centered extension models,” he remarked.
He said: “Universities, research institutions, and industry must work together to develop home grown solutions that ensure food security and economic stability”.
Dean Agriculture Prof Dr Ghulam Murtaza said that the soil health was taking a nasty turn that must be addressed at the national level. Quoting the workshop suggestion, he called for strengthening research farmer linkages; promote climate-smart oilseed cultivars, Farmer field schools and Policy support for oilseed sector and to improve value chain and Marketing systems. Registrar Dr Asif Kamran said that policy intervention will also help address the issue to get rid of the heavy import bill. Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr Zahid Abbas said soil health restoration, crop diversification, are key to sustainable productivity. He added that the research work must be translated into goods and services.
Chairman, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Azeem Iqbal, said that Pakistan meets only a small fraction of its edible oil demand through local production. He added that stress-tolerant oilseed varieties are essential viable solution to bridge this gap.
In her remarks, Humaira Razzaq elaborated on regenerative oilseed systems. She noted that regenerative practices not only enhance oilseed yields but also improve environmental resilience and farmers’ long-term incomes.
Dr Anwar ul Haq said decreasing organic matter in the soil must be addressed at the national level by following the research based methods.
Business Incubation Center Director Hammad Badar underscored called for organized value chains, contract farming, digital market platforms, and public–private partnerships to ensure fair prices.
Dr Shahid Mehmood, Dr Sultan Habib Ullah, Dr Saira Akhtar, Dr Sundas, Dr Rizwana Qamar, Dr Yavuz from Turkey, Dr Nooren Fatima, Sana Amin and other notable spoke on the occasion.
The moot also recommended establishing pilot projects in regenerative oilseed farming; develop public-private partnerships; digital agriculture and data systems; support on research and emerging oilseed crops; strengthen seed systems; and focus on sustainability and soil heal.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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