Pakistan looks to tap advanced Russian agri-technologies

Rana Tanveer Hussain, Pakistan's federal minister for food security and research, met a delegation from Schelkovo Agrohim, a Russian firm working in agriculture and agrochemicals, according to The Express Tribune. Officials from the Russian embassy attended the talks, which covered seeds, crop protection, pesticides, micronutrients, advanced fertilisers, agricultural research, technology transfer and investment.

Hussain said Pakistan wants farm cooperation that moves beyond buying finished goods, reaching technology transfer, local manufacturing, joint research, breeding programmes and training for local experts. He stressed the need for advanced technologies and seeds that raise output while withstanding drought, disease, pests and climatic stress. The Russian side outlined pesticides, formulations, micronutrients, biological products and seeds for wheat, maize, sugar beet, canola and sorghum, adding that its maize seeds are non-GMO.

Pest and disease control for vegetables, sugarcane, rice and cotton was flagged as a priority area. Micronutrients and other plant nutrition options were also discussed as a way to improve nutrient use and lessen reliance on conventional fertilisers. Hussain noted that climate change is a growing strain on farm output, so climate-resilient varieties and drought-tolerant seeds are being given priority. On seeds, officials want cooperation to extend beyond finished imports, covering germplasm access, joint breeding, seed traceability, local multiplication and a Russian seed company or partnership in Pakistan.