ISLAMABAD, March 08 (ABC): The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) plans to launch a Rs1.3 billion five-year climate-smart project to improve soil fertility and crop productivity across the country.
The initiative, proposed for inclusion in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27, will run from July 2026 to June 2031, according to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan.
Titled “National Bio-Fertilizer and Composting Program for Improving Soil Health and Crop Productivity,” the project focuses on natural resource management, climate-smart agriculture, soil fertility, integrated nutrient management, biofertilizers and soil microbiology.
Implementation through national research network
The project will be implemented through the Land Resources Research Institute (LRRI) of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Provincial research and extension departments will support the implementation process.
PARC Agro-Tech Company (PATCO) and private biofertilizer companies will participate through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
The initiative aligns with the government’s 5Es Framework, the 13th Five-Year Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Project (NAIGP).
The program promotes climate-smart agriculture and regenerative soil health management. It also aims to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers while strengthening farmer resilience and food security.
Focus on biofertilizers, integrated nutrient management
The project seeks to improve national food security, soil health and climate resilience. It will scale up farmer-level adoption of quality-assured indigenous biofertilizers, compost and organic amendments.
A nationally coordinated delivery framework will guide the implementation. The framework combines climate-smart practices with public-private collaboration to support sustainable agricultural systems.
Among the key deliverables, the project will authenticate, conserve and document elite Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains in the National Culture Collection of Pakistan (NCCP).
A national quality control and certification system for biofertilizers and compost will also ensure product standards and build farmer confidence.
Demonstration plots and farmer support
The initiative will provide farmers with standardized integrated nutrient management packages and clear application guidelines.
Public-private delivery partnerships will help farmers access bio-inputs and related technologies. Demonstration plots will also be established across different agro-ecological zones to validate climate-responsive nutrient management practices.
The project will also produce extension and communication materials to support awareness and adoption. Training programs will build human resource capacity in both public and private sectors.
By promoting indigenous bio-input technologies and restoring soil health, the initiative aims to improve crop quality and support sustainable productivity growth in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.