ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States agreed on Wednesday to deepen collaboration in agriculture through joint research on hybrid and disease-resistant crop varieties, local vaccine production and livestock breed improvement to boost productivity and exports, Pakistan’s food security ministry said.

Both sides reviewed ongoing projects and future priorities during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Natalie A. Baker, the Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan, in Islamabad.

The discussions focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in agricultural trade, technology transfer and research partnerships under long-standing Pak-US agricultural frameworks.

“Pakistan is committed to advancing a resilient, sustainable and technology-driven agriculture sector through continued collaboration with the United States,” Hussain said after the meeting, expressing confidence that the partnership would open new avenues for agricultural innovation, investment and trade.

The minister highlighted the country’s growing dairy and livestock sectors, saying Pakistan was among the largest importers of Holstein cows from the United States.

He said efforts were underway to enhance animal health and productivity through a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zone in Bahawalpur and a new traceability system aligned with international standards.

The US side expressed interest in collaborating on genetic improvement programs for dairy and beef cattle to strengthen export competitiveness.

Hussain acknowledged the role of US-funded programs such as the Agricultural Linkages Program (ALP) and the Wheat Productivity Enhancement Project (WPEP), saying they improved Pakistan’s agricultural resilience and research capacity.

The WPEP alone has helped develop 36 improved wheat varieties, increasing yields by up to 20 percent and improving resistance to rust diseases.

The minister also credited the Agricultural Innovation Project (AIP), a $30 million USAID-funded initiative, with introducing modern seed varieties, farm machinery and value-chain development across crops, dairy and horticulture.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in precision agriculture, digital farming and compliance mechanisms for the export of mangoes and horticultural products to the US market.