Pakistan and Australia have agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, emphasizing collaboration in institutional policy development, hybrid seed research, improved agricultural exports, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices.
In a significant move aimed at strengthening bilateral agricultural ties, Mr. Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, met with the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Neil Hawkins, to discuss practical pathways toward bolstering agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, delegates from both sides identified institutional collaboration for policy formulation as a key priority. This step is expected to enable effective policy synchronization, facilitating stronger agricultural governance structures, sharing of best practices, and building capacity within Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
Another significant area of cooperation explored was the initiation of joint research and development programs for hybrid seeds. Such initiatives could provide Pakistan’s farmers with access to advanced hybrid crop varieties, supporting productivity gains, disease resistance, and higher yields.
The officials also underlined the need to explore opportunities for increased agricultural exports from Pakistan to Australia. Both countries recognized the strong potential of Pakistani agricultural products and expressed optimism regarding further market integration and trade facilitation steps.
Lastly, discussions addressed the urgent need to support Pakistan’s agricultural sector to transition away from water-intensive farming practices. Australia’s expertise and experience in cultivating resilient, low water-consuming crops could provide significant assistance to Pakistani farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices amidst ongoing climate change challenges.
