Rana Tanveer Hussain Calls for Stronger CIMMYT Partnership to Raise Wheat Productivity and Achieve Food Security

Islamabad, 16 October 2026: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, called for stronger collaboration with CIMMYT to increase Pakistan’s wheat productivity through improved genetics, modern research facilities and advanced production technologies. He emphasised that Pakistan must aim beyond wheat self-sufficiency and develop a sustainable surplus to serve international markets and food-deficit countries.

The Minister expressed these views during a meeting with Dr. Flavio Breseghello, Director of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program, and Dr. Sajid Ali, Senior Scientist and Country Representative for Pakistan, at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed the need to substantially enhance wheat production to meet the food requirements of a population of around 260 million. Referring to the recent need for wheat imports, he said Pakistan must address its productivity gap through better seed, stronger research and wider adoption of modern agricultural technologies. He highlighted a wheat yield target of 3.5 tonnes per hectare and called for increased engagement with private partners to support national food security objectives.

The Minister discussed the upcoming National Wheat Policy, envisaged for the next five years, as an important framework for improving production and providing appropriate incentives to farmers. He emphasised that stronger research partnerships and practical innovations would be essential to achieving these objectives amid rising input costs and growing climate pressures.

Acknowledging six decades of the CIMMYT–Pakistan partnership, Rana Tanveer Hussain appreciated CIMMYT’s historic contribution to the country’s agricultural development, including the role of MAXIPAK varieties in Pakistan’s Green Revolution. He stressed that the next phase of cooperation should focus increasingly on cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions capable of delivering further gains in wheat productivity.

The Minister sought enhanced CIMMYT support in improved and diversified germplasm, genomic approaches, hybrid wheat, gene-editing technologies and advanced breeding methods. He recognised that well-equipped research institutions and skilled scientists are essential for developing climate-resilient and nutrient-enriched wheat varieties and translating scientific progress into benefits for farmers.

Rana Tanveer Hussain also welcomed CIMMYT’s support for strengthening national agricultural research institutions through upgraded laboratories, modern research equipment and farm machinery. He noted that these investments would improve the quality of field research, strengthen wheat breeding and seed processing, and enable researchers to generate reliable scientific data.

Briefing the Minister on activities undertaken during 2026 to mark six decades of partnership, Dr. Sajid Ali said laboratory and working facilities had been upgraded at five key wheat research institutions, including the National Agricultural Research Centre in Islamabad, with necessary laboratory equipment also provided. Research farm machinery had been supplied to 11 national research partners across the country.

The Minister was further informed that 15 scientists had received training in Kenya, Nepal, Ethiopia and Mexico during 2026, alongside training programmes organised within Pakistan. To support resource-poor and vulnerable farming communities, 21 seed banks had been established in 20 districts across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the merged districts. Climate-smart zero-tillage seed-cum-fertiliser drills had also been distributed to five partner organisations, including the Green Pakistan Initiative and the National Rural Support Programme.

Dr. Breseghello highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with CIMMYT and the contribution of genetic improvement to sustained wheat yield growth. He explained that ongoing support aimed to strengthen breeding programmes, improve seed processing and field research, and accelerate the development of wheat varieties suited to changing climatic conditions and nutritional needs. Both sides discussed the potential of hybrid wheat and opportunities for deeper collaboration with Pakistani research institutions and other partners.

The Minister assured the delegation of the Government’s continued facilitation and expressed readiness to support a more substantive CIMMYT contribution to Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The proposed Host Country Agreement was also discussed, and the meeting was informed that the document had been finalised and was ready for signing.

Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural research, innovation and climate resilience, emphasising that cooperation with CIMMYT should help close Pakistan’s wheat productivity gap and secure lasting improvements in national food security.