FAISALABAD, May 15 (APP) – Experts have called for strengthening agricultural research systems, improving institutional coordination, and ensuring consistent policies to address Pakistan’s growing food security challenges, as projections suggest the country's population may reach 390 million by 2050.
Addressing a policy dialogue on "Research for Food" at the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad under the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), research institutions emphasized the need to tackle emerging challenges in agriculture and food systems. They highlighted that agricultural productivity per acre is declining due to traditional farming methods, deteriorating soil health, climate change, limited access to modern machinery, and weak policy implementation.
Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, pointed out that Pakistan's food insecurity was largely a "case of neglect" and called for tangible research-driven policies. He stressed that policy consistency is essential for sustainable agricultural growth. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of integrating fragmented agricultural research institutions and improving coordination among universities, policymakers, and research organizations.
To counter these issues, Khan also highlighted the need to revive the historic Lyallpur Model, which linked agricultural research, education, and field-level extension services to ensure that scientific innovations directly benefited farmers and agricultural productivity. He stressed the importance of developing climate-smart technologies, improved crop varieties, and sustainable farming systems to secure food availability for future generations.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali underscored that food security is a global challenge exacerbated by climate change, water scarcity, and rapid population growth. Research institutions play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges through the development of innovative technologies, improved crop varieties, and sustainable farming systems. He also mentioned UAF's significant work on the production side of agriculture and its ongoing efforts to implement the "gene to fork" concept.
Ali emphasized that while considerable progress has been made in agricultural production, it is equally important to strengthen value addition, marketing, processing, and other post-production areas. This focus will help increase farmers' incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and ensure sustainable agricultural development.
Director of the Agri. Policy, Law and Governance Center-UAF, Prof Dr M. Asif Kamran, highlighted that the policy dialogue aimed to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, and policymakers to exchange ideas and formulate recommendations for sustainable food systems and evidence-based policymaking. He stressed the need for proper utilization of allocated research and development funds, improved institutional integration, and reducing fragmentation within agricultural research systems.
Kamran also emphasized greater private sector involvement in research and development and called for stronger intellectual property rights to encourage innovation and investment in agriculture.
Dr. Muhammad Ejaz Qureshi from the Australian National University shared his views on global food systems, agricultural economics, and policy interventions needed to strengthen food governance and rural livelihoods. He referred to Australia's structured and impact-oriented agricultural research system, including institutions like ABARES, CSIRO, and ACIAR.
Prof Dr Andreas Bürkert from the University of Kassel emphasized the importance of international collaboration in agricultural research and knowledge sharing. Appreciating Pakistan’s scientific potential and problem-solving capacity, he advised institutions to focus not only on solving problems but also on preventing them through better planning, management, and long-term policy approaches.
FAISALABAD, May 15 (APP) – Experts have called for strengthening agricultural research systems, improving institutional coordination, and ensuring consistent policies to address Pakistan’s growing food security challenges. The dialogue highlighted the need for tangible research-driven solutions in light of declining productivity due to traditional farming methods, deteriorating soil health, climate change, limited access to modern machinery, and weak policy implementation.
Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, emphasized that Pakistan's food insecurity is a "case of neglect" and called for research-driven policies. He stressed the importance of integrating fragmented agricultural research institutions and improving coordination among universities, policymakers, and research organizations to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
To address these challenges, Khan highlighted the revival of the Lyallpur Model, which connects agricultural research with education and field-level extension services to benefit farmers and agriculture. The dialogue also underscored the need for developing climate-smart technologies, improved crop varieties, and sustainable farming systems to secure food availability for future generations.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali emphasized that food security is a global challenge exacerbated by climate change, water scarcity, and rapid population growth. Research institutions play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges through the development of innovative technologies, improved crop varieties, and sustainable farming systems. He also mentioned UAF's significant work on the production side of agriculture and its ongoing efforts to implement the "gene to fork" concept.
Ali stressed that while considerable progress has been made in agricultural production, it is equally important to strengthen value addition, marketing, processing, and other post-production areas. This focus will help increase farmers' incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and ensure sustainable agricultural development.
Director of the Agri. Policy, Law and Governance Center-UAF, Prof Dr M. Asif Kamran, highlighted that the policy dialogue aimed to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, and policymakers to exchange ideas and formulate recommendations for sustainable food systems and evidence-based policymaking. He stressed the need for proper utilization of allocated research and development funds, improved institutional integration, and reducing fragmentation within agricultural research systems.
Kamran also emphasized greater private sector involvement in research and development and called for stronger intellectual property rights to encourage innovation and investment in agriculture.
Dr. Muhammad Ejaz Qureshi from the Australian National University shared his views on global food systems, agricultural economics, and policy interventions needed to strengthen food governance and rural livelihoods. He referred to Australia's structured and impact-oriented agricultural research system, including institutions like ABARES, CSIRO, and ACIAR.
Prof Dr Andreas Bürkert from the University of Kassel emphasized the importance of international collaboration in agricultural research and knowledge sharing. Appreciating Pakistan’s scientific potential and problem-solving capacity, he advised institutions to focus not only on solving problems but also on preventing them through better planning, management, and long-term policy approaches.
