UAF and ACIAR to Further Strengthen Collaboration in Agriculture Research
UrduPoint (5th Sep, 2026) reports that The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening nearly four decades of collaboration in agricultural research for the agricultural uplift.
Dr Suzie Newman, General Manager (Partnerships), ACIAR, and Country Manager ACIAR Munawar Raza Kazmi visited UAF on Saturday where they held detailed discussions with UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali and senior faculty and researchers.
Key Collaborations:
- Hybrid Wheat Project: Led by Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali at UAF, this international project involves Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Pakistan. It aims to accelerate genetic gain in wheat through hybrid breeding, leveraging UAF’s expertise in wheat improvement and international research collaboration. The project has shown a 20% increase in wheat productivity.
- Citrus Smallholder and Value-Chain Project: This initiative seeks to improve smallholder well-being and strengthen the competitiveness of Pakistan's citrus sector. It focuses on climate-resilient and adaptive water allocation, participatory irrigation institutions, farming livelihoods, and pulse value chains.
- Climate-Resilient and Adaptive Water Allocation: Addressing canal and groundwater management, salinity, and participatory irrigation institutions.
- Pulse Value-Chain Project: Developing competitive and inclusive markets for pulses.
Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali emphasized UAF's commitment to translating research into practical solutions for farmers and strengthening partnerships with industry and policymakers. He noted that Pakistan’s agriculture needs research that delivers measurable gains in productivity, resource efficiency, farmers' incomes, and climate change resilience.
Dr Suzie Newman appreciated UAF’s contributions and highlighted the importance of demand-driven, locally relevant research. She expressed her view that stronger partnerships will lead to practical solutions in areas like climate resilience, water management, crop improvement, horticulture, and agricultural value chains. ACIAR's partnerships focus on research that responds to development priorities and delivers benefits for farming communities.
The discussions concluded with a plan to scale up the results from ongoing projects.