Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain inaugurated a 10-acre regenerative-organic agriculture demonstration block on 28 October. The project is situated at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), and Dr. Muhammad Mansoor, Director General NARC, led the initiative. Four 2.5-acre plots within the block are dedicated to growing legumes, oilseeds, vegetables and cereals.
A central fermenter provides biologically produced agricultural inputs for the site. Hussain also inspected a precision planter created by the Agricultural Engineering Institute of NARC.
Regenerative agriculture promotes crop rotation, permanent soil cover, organic amendments, microbial inputs and minimum tillage. These practices aim to enhance water retention and improve soil fertility while gradually decreasing reliance on pesticides and chemical fertilisers.
The approach offers potential environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil carbon storage. Higher soil carbon levels could potentially allow farmers to participate in emerging carbon markets.
Scientists, extension workers and farmers will use the demonstration block as a training facility and living laboratory. Research at the site will assess soil health, input savings, crop yields and greenhouse gas balances.
The initiative is expected to generate evidence for scaling up resource-efficient and climate-resilient agricultural practices across Pakistan.
