Pakistan & U.S. Deepen Agricultural Partnership

Islamabad: In a high‑level meeting held on October 15, 2025, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, welcomed Acting U.S. Ambassador Natalie A. Baker to discuss ways to deepen Pakistan U.S. agricultural cooperation. The discussions aimed at boosting agricultural trade, increasing research linkage, and strengthening food security between both countries.

From the start, Minister Hussain praised the long‑standing collaboration with the United States in areas such as agricultural research, technical innovations, and resilience against climate and disease challenges. He noted that U.S. support has been vital in raising productivity and improving sustainability in Pakistan’s farming sectors.

Both sides reviewed major ongoing initiatives. Among them:

• Agricultural Linkages Program (ALP): Established in 2000, this program has funded many competitive agricultural research projects and helped raise research capacity and laboratory quality in Pakistani institutions.

• Wheat Productivity Enhancement Project (WPEP): A joint effort among USDA, CIMMYT, and Pakistani scientists. It has developed 36 improved wheat varieties, increased wheat yields by up to 20%, and improved resistance to wheat rust diseases.

• Agricultural Innovation Project (AIP): With funding of about USD 30 million via USAID, this project has introduced improved seed varieties, modern farm machinery, and strengthened value‑chains in crops, dairy, and horticulture.

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The Minister also noted U.S. support for agricultural higher education, specifically the Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture & Food Security at University of Agriculture Faisalabad and endowments at University of Agriculture Peshawar. These have reinforced professional and scientific connections between Pakistani and U.S. universities.

In the livestock and animal sectors, Minister Hussain said that although Pakistan’s livestock population exceeds 250 million, the meat sector’s export potential remains under‑utilised. He emphasized recent government efforts including creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)‑free zone in Bahawalpur, along with a traceability system to meet international standards. The United States expressed interest in genetic improvement programs for dairy and beef cattle to raise productivity and enhance export competitiveness.

Other areas of cooperation agreed upon during the meeting include:

• Joint research in hybrid and disease‑resistant crop varieties

• Local vaccine production

• Breed improvement for livestock

• Agricultural mechanization

• Promotion of precision agriculture and digital farming technologies

The export of horticultural products — especially mangoes — was also a topic. Both sides emphasised improving certification and compliance, that would allow Pakistani agricultural produce to access U.S. markets more easily.

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In conclusion, Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated that Pakistan is determined to build a resilient, sustainable, and technology‑driven agriculture sector. The minister expressed gratitude for the U.S. partnership and said that moving forward, both nations would explore new avenues for innovation, investment, and trade under the umbrella of enhanced Pakistan U.S. agricultural cooperation.