Pakistan, July 5 – The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has been rendered nearly inactive for the fiscal year 2025–26, as no research projects were included for it in the latest Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Despite government assertions of prioritizing agriculture, research activities at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) — PARC’s primary institution — have come to a halt.
Only one project, involving potato seed production in collaboration with South Korea, is set to continue during the year.
Sources reveal that the government has suspended two ongoing initiatives: one aimed at improving pulse production and another focused on upgrading a mountain research center in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Although five new projects were introduced under the Ministry of National Food Security, none were assigned to PARC.
One such approved scheme is the establishment of an Agricultural Research Institute in Sheikhupura, the home constituency of Food Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain.
The project, which spans five years, has been allocated Rs38 billion — prompting concerns over potential political favoritism.
PARC had originally proposed 15 research projects worth Rs24 billion. While the ministry shortlisted seven, all were ultimately dropped.
Additionally, a proposed Rs10 billion endowment fund for agricultural research was also rejected.
Officials attributed the cuts to financial constraints linked to IMF conditions, which forced the ministry’s development budget to be slashed from Rs24 billion to just Rs4.7 billion — severely hindering progress in agricultural research and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Concepts
1. What is the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)?
The PSDP is the Government of Pakistan’s key funding mechanism for infrastructure, development, and research initiatives. It outlines annual allocations to federal ministries and departments. For FY2025–26, PSDP allocations have seen major cuts, especially in sectors like agriculture, due to fiscal tightening and IMF restrictions.
What is PARC and why is it important?
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is the top research body responsible for agricultural innovation and policy support. It manages critical institutions like the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). Without PSDP funding, PARC cannot continue its R&D work, which directly affects food security and crop productivity.
What role does the IMF play in Pakistan’s budget decisions?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provides financial support to Pakistan under strict conditions, including austerity measures. In FY2025–26, IMF-related policies led to a sharp reduction in development spending—from Rs24 billion to Rs4.7 billion for the Ministry of National Food Security—affecting agricultural research and innovation.
What is political favoritism in development funding?
Political favoritism refers to allocating state funds based on political interests rather than merit or need. In FY2025–26, a Rs38 billion project for an agricultural institute in the food minister’s constituency raised concerns, especially since PARC’s national-level projects were rejected.
What is an endowment fund for agricultural research?
An endowment fund is a financial asset, typically invested, that provides long-term funding for a specific purpose—in this case, agricultural research. The rejected Rs10 billion endowment proposal by PARC would have ensured steady funding for innovation, even when government budgets are tight.
What is the significance of NARC’s inactivity?
The National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) is PARC’s flagship institute, responsible for national-level crop and farming research. With no active projects this year, Pakistan risks falling behind in agricultural innovation, which could worsen food insecurity and hamper rural development.
