PARC–SALU Discuss MoU and Future Roadmap to Transform Pakistan’s Date Palm Sector.
PARC–SALU Discuss MoU and Future Roadmap to Transform Pakistan’s Date Palm Sector.
ISLAMABAD:
17-12-2025
As a follow-up of the Sub-committee of National Assembly Standing Committee meeting, Dr. Syed Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), convened a consultative at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) today. The meeting featured Meritorious Prof. Dr. M. Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, as the guest of honor.
The primary focus of the discussion was development and modernization of the date palm sector—a vital crop for the Sindh region and a major potential revenue generator for the national economy. Development of a Strategic Roadmap for Date Palm Research & Postharvest Management was deliberated at length. Joint efforts between PARC and SALU were fully recognized to establish a well-equipped & modern Centre for Date Palm Research & Postharvest Management be established at the SALU Khairpur for improving productivity, quality, and value addition of date palm, thereby enhancing livelihoods of farmers and stakeholders in the region.
It was agreed that the proposed Centre would be aiming at:
• A comprehensive strategy and action plan for mapping the existing state and presence of elite varieties and their performance monitoring & documentation
• Development & maintenance of germplasm unit and mother orchard of the selected date palm varieties;
• Establishment of a modern tissue culture laboratory for mass propagation of the better performing elite cultivars;
• Development and dissemination of complete production technologies, including orchard establishment, best agronomic practices, and integrated insect pest and disease management packages;
• Post-harvest management technologies, including harvesting, drying, grading, storage, and shelf-life enhancement;
• Promotion of organic date production, certification support, and compliance with international standards;
• Processing, value addition, and by-product development to enhance export potential;
• Public-private partnerships for date processing, value addition and supply & value chain strengthening;
• Structured training and capacity-building programs for university students as Master Trainers, date growers, extension workers, and industrial entrepreneurs;
To ensure these goals are met with technical precision, it was decided that a specialized team of PARC scientists will soon visit Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. This visit will culminate in the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), institutionalizing the partnership between the federal research body and the university.
The meeting was attended by senior leadership and experts, including:
Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Director General, NARC
Dr. Zakir Hussain Dahri, Senior Director, NARC,
Dr. Attaullah Pathan DG PARC-SARC,
Dr. Ameer Ahmed Mallah, Director, Date Palm Research Institute, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur,
Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed, Director PRMC, NARC.
Following the formal discussions, the PARC leadership hosted a comprehensive tour of NARC’s state-of-the-art research facilities for the Vice Chancellor and his delegation. The tour included visits to:
NIGAB (National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology), showcasing breakthroughs in plant genomics, IoT-Enabled Glass Houses demonstrating the future of "Smart Farming" and climate-controlled agriculture.
PGRI (Plant Genetic Resources Institute), highlighting the importance of preserving Pakistan’s biodiversity.
Horticulture Research Institute, where lead researchers provided in-depth briefings on the latest cultivation and breeding of fruits, vegetables and promotion of floriculture.
The delegation expressed high praise for the caliber of research being conducted at NARC, noting that the synergy between PARC's technical expertise and SALU's regional influence could transform Khairpur into a global hub for date palm excellence.
Dr Sahib khan Oad
Media Studies Department
SALU Khairpur.
