Pakistan-China joint research to focus on genomics, genome editing, speed breeding: DG Sajid

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2026) Pakistan and China would undertake joint research in advanced agricultural technologies including genomics, genome editing and speed breeding to improve crop productivity, Director General Agricultural (Research) Dr Sajid Rehman said while chairing a seminar at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI).

The seminar was organised for agricultural scientists who recently returned after completing advanced agricultural training in China under the Prime Minister’s 1,000 Internship Programme.

Dr Sajid Rehman said the joint research would also cover areas such as high-throughput phenotyping, hybrid development, climate change, regenerative agriculture, soil and plant health, and stress tolerance, particularly heat and drought.

He said these efforts were part of a broader plan to modernise agricultural research in Punjab so that new high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties could be developed for farmers.

According to him, the initiative would support the Punjab government’s development project titled “Revamping of Agricultural Research in Punjab,” aimed at strengthening the province’s research system through modern technologies and improved research facilities.

The DG said the project, with an estimated cost of Rs five billion, would help establish state-of-the-art laboratories and promote the use of advanced agricultural technologies in research institutions.

Around 30 researchers were sent to China for three and six-month specialised training programmes under the government initiative and they successfully completed their training.

During the seminar, eight presentations were delivered highlighting modern agricultural research, innovative technologies and successful Chinese farming models.

More than 200 junior and senior scientists, including directors of various research institutes, attended the seminar and actively participated in discussions and question-and-answer sessions.

Participants discussed lessons learnt from China, latest research strategies, opportunities for future collaboration, scope of joint projects, exchange of germ plasm and capacity-building opportunities in areas such as speed breeding, genomics and genome editing.

DG Sajid Rehman said China had significantly increased its per-acre agricultural productivity during the past two decades through continuous research and the use of modern technologies.

He added that Pakistan could benefit from these experiences by aligning its agricultural research with modern global practices.

Under the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab and guidance of the Secretary Agriculture, the expertise of Chinese-trained scientists and their Chinese supervisors would be fully utilised in implementing the project.

With the successful implementation of the initiative, new high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties and hybrids of major crops would be developed and made available to farmers in the shortest possible time, which would ultimately boost productivity in the agriculture sector.