Pakistan wants Australian help to detect crop pests earlier and protect its farms more effectively. On Thursday, Rana Tanveer Hussain, minister for national food security and research, agreed with Australian officials to expand cooperation in agriculture, research, biosecurity, water management and agricultural trade. A central part of the discussions was technical help with pest forecasting based on climate and weather, GIS-based surveillance and early-warning systems.
The minister met Dr Suzie Newman, general manager for partnerships at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and Australia's high commissioner to Pakistan. They discussed control of invasive pests and preparation for locust attacks, including pest-control methods that are environmentally sustainable.
Mr Hussain identified agricultural biosecurity and plant health as key areas for closer cooperation. He proposed joint work on pest identification, molecular diagnostics, DNA barcoding, pest surveillance, risk analysis, quarantine management and modern digital plant-health systems.
The two sides also agreed to develop new research projects based on Pakistan's agricultural and food-security needs and focused on measurable results. These will include training, researcher exchanges, technical expertise and practical solutions for farmers.
The minister said research must lead to practical solutions that farmers can use on a large scale. He identified climate-resilient agriculture, water management, crop improvement, horticulture and agricultural supply chains as priorities.
Dr Newman said ACIAR focuses on research driven by local needs and led by local partners, along with training and turning research findings into practical benefits for farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
The officials also reviewed the ACIAR-funded Water Resilience and Livelihood Improvement in the Southern Indus Basin project. Mr Hussain asked for Pakistani research institutions to play a larger role in order to improve implementation, strengthen national ownership and help the project continue after foreign funding ends.
The Australian delegation praised Pakistan's continued participation in technical exchanges, training programmes and institutional cooperation. It also stressed the importance of collaboration among research institutions, government agencies and agricultural stakeholders.
The meeting set out a wide range of shared priorities, but no funding commitments or timelines were announced. Its practical effect will depend on whether these plans become specific projects that reach farmers.