ISLAMABAD (CIMMYT) – On February 14, a delegation of representatives from the USAID Pakistan Mission visited the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad to see the interventions by USAID-funded Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) implemented by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

USAID’s Mary Hobbs, Director of the Economic Growth and Agriculture Section, and Kenneth Dunn, Deputy Director, met with CIMMYT-Pakistan’s Country Representative, Imtiaz Muhammad and NARC’s Director General, Ghullam Muhammad Ali.

During the visit, the delegation toured wheat field trials, the Maize Stem Borer Mass Rearing Lab at the NARC and discussed the importance of public-private partnerships and collaborations for developing a  strong agricultural system. They also toured the NARC germplasm bank, which provides vital support to the national crop improvement programs in the form of required germplasm seeds of different crops and is a genetic resource of cultivated crops and their wild relatives, useful for breeding.

Muhammad gave a brief presentation on CIMMYT activities and interventions across Pakistan and about successes in the program to strengthen the cereal crops research and system.

Hobbs said, “CIMMYT’s efforts are really worthy and contribute to the overall agriculture-based economy and uplifting the livelihoods of farming communities.”

CIMMYT-led AIP is the result of the combined efforts of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) and the University of California at Davis. With these national and international partners on board, AIP continues to improve Pakistan’s agricultural productivity and economy.

The Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) is funded by the  U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).