Food minister calls for farmer-focused research

Federal Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain urged national agricultural research bodies to focus on work that delivers practical benefits for farmers, at a meeting at the National Agricultural Research Centre in Islamabad. The Express Tribune reported that the session reviewed institutes’ Kharif 2026 results and their research plans for Rabi 2026-27.

Hussain called for higher-yielding, climate-resilient crops, more efficient water use and lower production costs, with particular attention to indigenous Basmati rice, pulses and oilseeds. He also asked researchers to commercialise locally developed machinery, develop livestock vaccines and feed, and improve honey quality and exports. Officials reported that six crop varieties were approved in Kharif 2026 and more than 265 tonnes of quality seeds were produced; research also covered horticulture, food processing and water conservation.