By Commerce ReporterĀ
LAHORE: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Guard Agricultural Research & Services (Pvt) Ltd have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate on research, development, evaluation and potential commercialisation of hybrid wheat in Pakistan, aiming to strengthen industry-academia linkages and develop climate-resilient agricultural solutions.
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Under the three-year framework, the two institutions will combine UAFās expertise in wheat genetics, breeding, agronomy and scientific research with Guard Agricultureās experience in seed technology, research and development, and the commercialisation of hybrid wheat, according to the document.
Shahzad Ali Malik, Chief Executive of Guard Agriculture, and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfikar Ali signed the document on behalf of their respective organisations in the presence of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar.
The collaboration will focus on developing and evaluating hybrid wheat breeding material, assessing promising combinations across multiple locations, and testing disease resistance, grain quality and adaptability to different growing conditions.
The agreement also envisages research on trait mobilisation for climate-resilient hybrid wheat, alongside capacity building through training programmes, workshops, field demonstrations and exchanges involving technical personnel and students.
Responding to media queries on the occasion, Dr Zulfikar Ali said the aim was to increase wheat production per acre by 20 per cent through the promotion of hybrid wheat seeds. He claimed that the proposed hybrid seed would not increase farmersā input costs, although it would be more expensive than conventional wheat seed.
Under the proposed arrangement, UAF will provide scientific and technical expertise in wheat breeding, genetics and agronomy, facilitate access to breeding material, and support student and faculty exchanges, as well as field, laboratory and greenhouse activities.
Guard Agriculture will support commercial feasibility assessments and multi-location testing, facilitate access to seed production and commercial testing facilities, and provide research grants, PhD support, masterās fellowships and internships.
The LoI provides for joint ownership of intellectual property, breeding material, technology and research outputs generated through the collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, Guard Agriculture Chief Executive Shahzad Ali Malik said the organisation had introduced hybrid rice in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, contributing to the economic uplift of farmers. He said the signing of the LoI reflected the organisationās commitment to improving wheat yields per acre as well.
He added that, as head of the LCCI Standing Committee on Agriculture, he would also work towards the revival of cotton cultivation in the country.
LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said agriculture would remain a top priority for the chamber during his tenure. He added that agriculture also ranked high on the LCCIās engagement agenda with the government.
Representatives of prominent seed companies, including Sajjad Sulaiman Malik and Guard Executive Seed Divisionās Momin Ali Malik, were also present on the occasion.
