Advancing Pakistan’s Agricultural Future Through the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy

The approval of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy 2025 by the Prime Minister and his Federal Cabinet is a great and timely national initiative to place Pakistan’s agriculture on a modern, science-based and innovation-led path. It reflects a clear commitment at the highest level to support farmers, strengthen food security, encourage responsible investment and promote technology-led agricultural growth.

Importantly, the policy was developed through a consultative process over two and a half years, with input from scientific, regulatory, farming, industry and policy stakeholders before its approval. At a time when farmers face rising input costs, pest pressure, climate variability, increasing demand for feed and food, and the need for better productivity, the country cannot afford to delay access to safe and improved technologies. Biotechnology adds another important tool to the farmer’s toolbox, supporting good agronomic practices, conventional breeding, and farmer experience while helping protect yield, reduce avoidable losses, and improve national competitiveness.

The discussion on GM maize should be guided by facts. This technology has progressed through Pakistan’s statutory biosafety and regulatory framework, beginning with biosafety trials in 2009, completion of required studies and data generation in 2013, and subsequent commercialization approvals after regulatory review. The trials were conducted under the supervision of the Field Monitoring Committee, constituted by the Technical Advisory Committee and the National Biosafety Committee. This confirms that approvals were granted only after the relevant biosafety, environmental and regulatory requirements were examined through the prescribed process.

The technology also demonstrated clear agronomic value under local conditions. GM maize hybrids completed National Uniformity Yield Trials in 2017 and 2018 across multiple locations under regulatory supervision. Published trial data showed yield advantages ranging from 10% to 46% across hybrids from different companies.

Pakistan’s maize grain exports have recently ranged around USD 288–345 million annually, while fodder and forage exports add further feed-related value under broader export categories. With improved productivity, quality and market access, approved GM maize technology could significantly expand Pakistan’s grain and feed export base over time, with potential exports reaching up to USD 1 billion.

Pakistan’s maize grain market is already strongly linked with the feed industry. Poultry is the largest consumer, using around 70% of maize grain, followed by animal feed at about 15% and wet milling at around 10–12%. Since poultry and animal feed are the main consumption sectors and already use approved GM soybean and canola-based feed ingredients, locally produced GM maize grain would enter an existing and developed GM feed market rather than creating a new one.

GM maize has already been approved in Asian countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and China, while India has restarted its approval process. Globally, GM maize technology has been approved and cultivated for nearly three decades in major agricultural economies, including the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and South Africa. Pakistan must not be left behind. It is now time to implement the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy in true letter and spirit so that farmers can access approved technologies and the country can remain competitive in agricultural innovation.

The wider national priority is now effective implementation of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy in true letter and spirit. After completion of statutory requirements and formal policy approval, this is now the first real test of whether the policy can deliver tangible economic value through meaningful and timely action.

The coming weeks and months will demonstrate the true intent behind the policy and the seriousness of its implementation. Further delay would restrict farmer access to approved technologies, weaken investor confidence and slow technology transfer, public-private collaboration and innovation-led agricultural growth. Pakistan should move forward through a predictable, science-based and well-regulated implementation framework that supports food security, import substitution, export competitiveness, farmer choice and a more resilient agricultural future.