Pakistan, Australia to strengthen agri-research, biosecurity ties

Mettis Global reported that Pakistan and Australia have pledged to expand joint efforts in farm research, climate adaptation, biosecurity, water use and agricultural commerce. The commitment came out of talks between Rana Tanveer Hussain, the federal minister for national food security and research, Dr Suzie Newman of ACIAR and the Australian High Commissioner. According to a press release, the discussions covered a range of agricultural priorities.

Talks also explored ways to lift Pakistan's farm and horticultural shipments to Australia by resolving phytosanitary requirements, strengthening plant-health systems and easing market entry. Rana Tanveer Hussain proposed joint work on pest identification, DNA barcoding, digital plant-health tools and locust preparedness. Both sides also discussed pest forecasting using weather data and early-warning systems, alongside environmentally sustainable pest control.

The ACIAR-funded Aik Saath programme and a water project in the Southern Indus Basin were also reviewed. The minister urged greater involvement from Pakistani research bodies, while both parties agreed to design new research initiatives linked to food-security needs. Rana Tanveer Hussain also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the long-running partnership, which dates back to 1984.