Pakistani universities received wheat and vegetable varieties last year, such as cabbage, carrot, and tomatoes, for further research at their demonstration parks. Plans are also underway for the exchange of new linseed varieties later this month.

In a landmark development aimed at advancing agricultural technology through international collaboration, four Pakistani universities have joined the Silk Road Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance. This momentous decision was announced at the Ninth Silk Road Agricultural Education and Research Cooperation Forum held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from July 9-12.

The universities – Quaid-i-Azam University, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Sindh Agriculture University, and Ayub Agricultural Research Institute – are set to collaborate with leading institutions from China and other Silk Road countries. This alliance aims to facilitate the exchange and joint development of new food crops, vegetable varieties, and medicinal plants.

Abdul Ghaffar Shar, a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Northwest A&F University in China, highlighted the alliance’s recent initiatives. Notably, Pakistani universities received wheat and vegetable varieties last year, such as cabbage, carrot, and tomatoes, for further research at their demonstration parks. Plans are also underway for the exchange of new linseed varieties later this month.

Significant strides have already been made in agricultural innovation, with researchers identifying 19 stress-resistant wheat strains and a new wheat variety tailored for broader cultivation in Pakistan. This breakthrough variety promises to enhance wheat production by 27 per cent, reduce costs by 13 per cent, and increase farmers’ income by approximately 25 per cent.

Moreover, the alliance has introduced cutting-edge technologies like nanobiochar, new nutrient solutions, and bio-organic fertilizers, all of which are poised to improve crop quality and output significantly.

“This year, the establishment of model farms for sesame contract farming across Pakistan is expanding rapidly, thereby boosting the country’s export potential,” noted Abdul Ghaffar Shar.

Since its inception in 2016, the Silk Road Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance has expanded its membership significantly. At this year’s forum, 14 new members from China, Nepal, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan were admitted, bringing the total number of participating institutions to over 120 from 19 countries.

This collaboration marks a crucial step forward for Pakistani universities and research institutions, opening doors to global partnerships and paving the way for transformative advancements in agriculture

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