Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasizes the need for increased wheat productivity.
- Collaboration with CIMMYT aims to enhance wheat genetics and modern research.
- Comprehensive long-term wheat policy for 2026-30 is being formulated.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has announced steps to increase wheat yield to 3.5 tons per hectare, focusing on strengthening cooperation with private partners to support national food security objectives.
During a meeting with Dr Flavio Breseghello, Director of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Programme, and Dr Sajid Ali, Senior Scientist and Country Representative for Pakistan, the minister highlighted the importance of improved genetics, modern research facilities, and advanced production technologies.
Hussain stressed that Pakistan must address its productivity gap through better seed, stronger research, and wider adoption of modern agricultural technologies, especially in light of recent wheat imports.
The government has formulated a comprehensive long-term wheat policy for 2026-30, aimed at strengthening national food security through modern reforms, with a focus on research partnerships and practical innovations.
The minister acknowledged CIMMYT’s historic contribution to Pakistan’s agricultural development, particularly the role of MAXIPAK varieties in the country’s Green Revolution.
The next phase of cooperation should focus on cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions capable of delivering further gains in wheat productivity, amid rising input costs and growing climate pressures.
Rana Tanveer Hussain welcomed CIMMYT’s support for strengthening national agricultural research institutions through upgraded laboratories, modern research equipment, and farm machinery.
These investments will improve the quality of field research, strengthen wheat breeding and seed processing, and enable researchers to generate reliable scientific data.
Dr Sajid Ali briefed the minister on activities undertaken during 2026 to mark six decades of partnership, including the upgrade of laboratory and working facilities at five key wheat research institutions and the supply of research farm machinery to 11 national research partners across the country.
