FAISALABAD (Pakistan) – The Australian Commission for International Agricultural Research recently undertook a range of fact-finding activities around Punjab. Their visit included farm field visits, meetings with Vice Chancellors and academic staff of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, as well as meetings with key ministries and departments of the Pakistan Government in Islamabad. These activities were part of the Commissions’ yearly visit to a significant partner country to experience first-hand collaborative agricultural research funded by Australia, to inform their recommendations to the Australian Foreign Minister.
The Commissioners include representatives from Australia’s agricultural research, farming and the private sectors. At the end of the visit, Commission President Don Heatley noted the growing strategic importance of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research’s Pakistan program and the quality of research and level of enthusiasm shown by Pakistani partners.