ISLAMABAD: In a move that could redefine Pakistan’s agricultural future, the federal government has sought China’s assistance to overhaul the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and transform it into a modern and globally competitive institution. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, held detailed discussions with a high-level delegation from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). They stressed that unless PARC is restructured with clear targets and long-term financing, Pakistan’s agricultural research would continue to lag behind regional and global standards. A major feature of the plan includes establishing a Centre of Excellence at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) based on the CAAS model. Incentive mechanisms are also being considered to reward innovation and promote the commercialisation of research outputs, ensuring that Pakistan’s agricultural science directly benefits farmers and the wider economy.