Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) to deliberate on the transformation of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The Minister warmly welcomed the visiting experts and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restructure PARC into a modern and vibrant institution capable of addressing emerging agricultural challenges and ensuring national food security.
The delegation was led by Ms. Yan Yan, Level-1 Consultant, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China, and Ms. Long Wanrong, Level-3 Consultant, Department of Personnel, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, who also serves as Professor and Director at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, CAAS. They were accompanied by senior experts including Professor Jia Yaxiong, Director, Division of Science and Technology Management, Institute of Animal Sciences, CAAS.
Speaking at the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed that agricultural research must be directly aligned with the needs of farmers and industry, ensuring that scientific innovations are translated into practical solutions that contribute to food security and economic growth. He emphasized that the transformation roadmap for PARC must include clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and sustainable investment mechanisms. The Minister also underlined the importance of rewarding scientists for their innovations, noting that talent retention requires an incentive structure linked to commercialization of research.
The Chinese delegation shared their experience of successfully transforming CAAS nearly two decades ago and offered valuable insights into PARC’s reform process. They identified financial constraints, limited incentives for scientists, and restricted international collaborations as key hurdles for PARC. They emphasized the need for a competitive model supported by long-term investment and stronger collaboration with the private sector and international partners.
The Minister welcomed the proposal for reciprocal visits and exchange programs between PARC and CAAS, stressing that Pakistani scientists must benefit from firsthand exposure to CAAS’s research model. He further noted that the MoU signed earlier between PARC and CAAS will now be operationalized to give concrete shape to joint efforts.
Concluding the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated that reforming PARC is a national priority and assured full government support to expedite the process. He expressed confidence that with China’s partnership and Pakistan’s commitment, PARC will emerge as a strong and modern research institution capable of delivering innovative solutions, enhancing agricultural productivity, and securing the country’s food future.
