ACIAR Commission engages with key partners during a five day visit to Pakistan

The Commission for International Agricultural Research visited Pakistan from 29 February to
4 March 2016 where they undertook a five day study tour as part of familiarisation with ACIAR activities and to build relationships with key government stakeholders, research partners and research teams to better understand the management and implementation of ACIAR work.

During the five day visit Commissioners travelled to Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore to meet with representatives from government departments and universities, as well as a number of local growers, and were impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of ACIAR’s Pakistani partners.

Commissioner Catherine Marriott observing the work of a small machine used to make bales of fodder for preservation. Photo: Munawar Kazmi, ACIAR

Commissioners have returned to Australia with a much better understanding of ACIAR’s work and influence in Pakistan and the visit was successful in strengthening the ties between Australia and Pakistan in the field of agriculture.

Commissioner Catherine Marriott and ACIAR CEO Nick Austin observing vegetable cultivation at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad. Photo: Munawar Kazmi, ACIAR

ACIAR, along with DFAT, seeks to provide valuable research, technical assistance and capacity building in a new project ‘Agriculture Value Chain Collaborative Research Program’ (AVCCR) which will focus on dairy and meat, high value horticulture, pulses, water management and policy development.

As with all ACIAR projects, collaboration and cooperation between diverse stakeholders is vital to achieve positive outcomes. ACIAR and the Australian High Commission will actively engage with   colleagues in the agricultural sector, universities and provincial governments, to ensure that AVCCR is relevant to the needs of Pakistan and makes an impact on growing yields, quality, export readiness and ultimately, poverty alleviation.

By Dr Manawar Kazmi, ACIAR Country Manager Pakistan