ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) convened the 103rd meeting of its Technical Committee on Fertilizer and Allied Products in Islamabad on August 20-21, bringing together experts, industry representatives, academics, farmers and policymakers to strengthen standards for agricultural inputs.
The meeting focused on developing and updating Pakistan Standards for fertilizers and related products, with PSQCA Director General Dr Syeda Zia Batool highlighting the importance of quality standards for protecting farmers, supporting agricultural trade, maintaining soil fertility and encouraging innovation in the sector.
22 Fertilizer Standards Published
During the two-day meeting, the committee reviewed progress on standards for fertilizer and allied products. According to PSQCA, 22 Pakistan Standards related to fertilizer and allied products have been published in 2026.
A further 21 draft Pakistan Standards covering fertilizer products and related testing methods are currently under development. PSQCA said most of these drafts have reached the final review stage and are expected to be formally published after completion of the required process.
The standards are intended to establish quality benchmarks for agricultural inputs and testing procedures, supporting greater consistency and reliability across the sector.
PSQCA Calls for Stronger Industry-Academia Link
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Batool said the voluntary contribution of technical experts remains important to Pakistan’s standardization process. She emphasized the adoption of international best practices to improve product quality and strengthen the competitiveness of Pakistan’s agricultural industry.
She also called for closer cooperation between industry and academia, including greater awareness and capacity-building initiatives at universities to develop expertise in standardization.
Dr Batool highlighted the participation of Pakistani experts in international standardization forums, particularly the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and reaffirmed PSQCA’s support for Pakistan’s engagement in global standards development.
The committee’s work is aimed at strengthening quality standards for fertilizers and allied agricultural products while supporting food security, agricultural productivity and the wider development of Pakistan’s agro-industry.
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