ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Pakistan and Russia have opened discussions on field trials of Russian seeds and pesticides, local manufacturing, technology transfer and joint investment as Islamabad looks to strengthen agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain discussed the proposals during a meeting with a delegation from Russian agricultural and agrochemical company Schelkovo Agrohim, accompanied by officials from the Russian Embassy.
The talks covered seed development, crop protection, micronutrients, advanced fertilisers, agricultural research, local production and possible joint ventures in Pakistan.
Rana Tanveer said Pakistan was seeking agricultural cooperation with Russia that went beyond importing finished products and instead created opportunities for technology transfer, local manufacturing, joint research, breeding programmes and training of Pakistani experts.
He said Pakistan needed advanced seeds and agricultural technologies capable of improving yields while offering greater resistance to drought, diseases, pests and climate-related stress.
The Russian delegation briefed Pakistani officials on its portfolio of pesticides, micronutrients, micro-fertilisers, biological products and seeds for crops including wheat, maize, sugar beet, rapeseed, canola and sorghum. The company said its maize seeds were non-GMO.
Officials identified pest and disease management in cotton, rice, sugarcane and vegetables as potential areas for cooperation. Discussions also covered plant nutrition technologies that could improve nutrient-use efficiency and reduce dependence on some conventional fertilisers, including phosphorus-based products and DAP.
Climate-resilient agriculture emerged as a key focus of the meeting, with Rana Tanveer saying drought-tolerant seeds and disease-resistant crop varieties were becoming increasingly important as climate change placed greater pressure on Pakistan’s farm sector.
Pakistani officials also stressed that future seed cooperation should not remain limited to imports. Possible areas include access to Russian germplasm, joint breeding programmes, local seed multiplication, seed traceability and the establishment of Russian seed businesses or partnerships in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and National Agricultural Research Centre were proposed as platforms for evaluating Russian technologies under local soil and climatic conditions.
The two sides also discussed field trials of Russian wheat and other seeds, as well as pesticide products, in Pakistan. With the wheat sowing season approaching, early provision of suitable Russian wheat varieties for local trials was proposed.
The trials would assess yield potential, adaptability, resistance to pests and diseases, and performance across different agricultural zones.
On pesticide cooperation, officials said the Russian delegation had already held discussions with Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection regarding registration procedures, testing requirements and regulatory standards.
The meeting also considered the availability and possible establishment of internationally accredited testing laboratory facilities in Pakistan.
Rana Tanveer said the government would facilitate business-to-business matchmaking between Russian companies and Pakistani partners.
Possible cooperation models discussed included local distribution, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, domestic seed production, research and development, and the establishment of Russian agricultural input or seed companies in Pakistan.
The minister said Pakistan was seeking to diversify its sources of agricultural technologies, seeds and inputs, adding that Russian products could find significant opportunities in the Pakistani market if they proved scientifically effective and commercially competitive.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of formalising future cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding or Letter of Intent.
The meeting agreed to continue technical and regulatory engagement, facilitate local testing of suitable Russian products and seed varieties, identify business partners and explore research and investment projects.