ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain said and Wednesday that Pakistan seeks agricultural cooperation with Russia that goes beyond the import of finished products and leads to technology transfer, local production, joint research, breeding programmes and capacity building of Pakistani experts.
The minister held a meeting with a delegation from the prominent Russian agricultural and agrochemical company, Schelkovo Agrohim.
The delegation was accompanied by the Second Secretary and other officials of the Russian Embassy, said a press release.
The meeting focused on exploring practical cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in seed development, crop protection, pesticides, micronutrients, advanced fertilizers, agricultural research, technology transfer and investment.
He said Pakistan needs advanced agricultural technologies and seeds that can enhance productivity while demonstrating greater resilience to drought, diseases, pests and climatic stresses.
The Russian delegation briefed the Minister on Schelkovo Agrohim’s pesticides, advanced pesticide formulations, micronutrients, micro-fertilizers, biological products and high-quality seeds for various crops.
The company also presented its research and production capabilities in seeds and hybrids of wheat, maize, sugar beet, rapeseed/canola and sorghum. According to the Russian delegation, the company’s maize seeds are non-GMO.
The meeting identified effective pest and disease management in cotton, rice, sugarcane and vegetables as key areas for potential cooperation.
Discussions also covered micronutrients and alternative plant nutrition solutions that could improve nutrient-use efficiency and potentially reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers, particularly phosphorus fertilizers and DAP.
Rana Tanveer Hussain said that climate change poses a growing challenge to Pakistan’s agricultural production.
Therefore, climate-resilient technologies, drought-tolerant seeds and disease-resistant crop varieties are being accorded priority.
Discussing cooperation in the seed sector, Pakistani officials emphasized that future collaboration should not be limited to the import of finished seeds.
Instead, practical cooperation could focus on access to suitable Russian germplasm, joint breeding programmes, technology transfer, seed traceability, local seed multiplication, and the establishment of a Russian seed company or partnership in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) were proposed as key platforms for the scientific evaluation of Russian agricultural technologies under local conditions.
The Federal Minister stressed that the performance of any new technology or product must be scientifically assessed under Pakistan’s climatic, agronomic and soil conditions before its wider introduction.
The meeting also explored the possibility of initiating field trials of Russian seeds and pesticide products in Pakistan.
Given the approaching wheat sowing season, the early provision of suitable Russian wheat seed material for trials was proposed.
The trials would assess yield potential, local adaptability, resistance to pests and diseases, and performance under Pakistan’s diverse climatic conditions. Cooperation in hybrid wheat and other advanced seed technologies was also discussed.
Regarding pesticides, the meeting was informed that the Russian delegation had already held discussions with the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), where it was briefed on Pakistan’s registration procedures, testing requirements, required studies and other regulatory requirements for pesticide products.
The availability and possible establishment of internationally accredited testing laboratory facilities in Pakistan were also discussed.
The Federal Minister assured the Russian company that the Government of Pakistan would facilitate B2B matchmaking with potential Pakistani partners.
Various cooperation models were discussed, including local distribution arrangements, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, local seed production, research and development, and the establishment of a Russian agricultural input or seed company in Pakistan.
Rana Tanveer Hussain said that Pakistan seeks to diversify its sources of agricultural technologies, seeds and inputs. If Russian products prove scientifically effective under local conditions and commercially competitive, they could have significant opportunities in Pakistan’s large agricultural market.
He said the Government of Pakistan would welcome Russian investment, local manufacturing, research collaboration, technology transfer and long-term business partnerships.
Both sides also considered possible frameworks, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Letter of Intent (LoI), to formalize and advance future cooperation.
The meeting agreed to further advance technical and regulatory engagement, facilitate local testing of suitable Russian products and seed varieties, identify potential business partners, and explore viable research and investment projects for future cooperation.
