ISLAMABAD – July 2025: Pakistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have agreed to strengthen and broaden their collaboration in the agriculture and livestock sectors, with a renewed emphasis on technological innovation, food safety, and international investment.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting held on Friday between Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain and senior FAO officials. The visiting delegation included Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General of FAO and head of its Animal Production and Health Division, and Florence Rolle, FAO’s outgoing representative in Pakistan.
During the session, the two sides conducted an in-depth review of ongoing collaborative programs and identified new areas for strategic growth. Pakistan’s minister highlighted the importance of modernizing the agricultural economy through global partnerships, with the goal of enhancing food security, export competitiveness, and climate resilience.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
- Institutional Reform: The minister shared progress on establishing the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NATFSA) — a new regulatory body modeled on Egypt’s successful food safety system. A Pakistani technical delegation is scheduled to visit Cairo later this year to learn from Egypt’s regulatory architecture and operational protocols.
- Research & Innovation Focus: Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, the minister announced plans to restructure and revitalize the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). He emphasized aligning its activities with global trends in agri-tech, particularly in livestock genomics, smart farming, and disease control.
- Global Benchmarks & Strategic Models: FAO’s Thanawat Tiensin recommended Brazil’s livestock innovation strategy as a potential roadmap for Pakistan. Brazil’s rapid transformation into a leading global meat exporter—through digital monitoring, breed improvement, and veterinary infrastructure—was cited as an example Pakistan could adapt in its own context.
- International Academic Cooperation: Minister Hussain also voiced Pakistan’s desire to increase joint ventures with research institutes in China and Europe, particularly in biotechnology, food safety diagnostics, and sustainable soil practices.
- FAO Global Engagements: FAO informed the minister of key upcoming international forums where Pakistan’s participation is anticipated, including:
- Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation (Rome, Sept 29–Oct 1, 2025)
- Global Exhibition on Seed for Food (October 2025)
- World Food Forum (October 2025)
- Crisis Response & Pandemic Support: The meeting also acknowledged FAO’s crucial role during the COVID-19 crisis, where it mobilized over $20 million to bolster Pakistan’s animal disease surveillance and vaccination systems, particularly in remote and vulnerable districts.
A Legacy of Collaboration Since 1947
FAO’s involvement in Pakistan spans more than seven decades, with programs across 94 districts focused on everything from crop diversification and livestock productivity to agroforestry and climate-smart irrigation.
Minister Hussain extended special thanks to Ambassador Mehmood, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to FAO in Rome, for facilitating robust bilateral engagements and driving policy coordination at international levels.
