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The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Guard Agricultural Research & Services (Pvt) Ltd have signed a three-year Letter of Intent (LoI) to develop and evaluate hybrid wheat in Pakistan.
The collaboration aims to strengthen links between academia and industry. It will also support research into climate-resilient wheat varieties and explore their potential commercialisation.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfikar Ali and Guard Agriculture Chief Executive Shahzad Ali Malik signed the document. Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar attended the ceremony.
Under the agreement, both organisations will combine their expertise in wheat research, breeding and seed technology.
The partnership will focus on developing and evaluating hybrid wheat breeding material. Researchers will test promising combinations at multiple locations across Pakistan.
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The trials will assess disease resistance, grain quality and adaptability to different growing conditions. The partners will also study traits that could help wheat withstand climate-related challenges.
The programme includes training sessions, workshops and field demonstrations. It will also support exchanges involving technical staff and students.
Dr Zulfikar Ali said the initiative aims to increase wheat production per acre by 20% through hybrid wheat seeds.
He said the proposed seeds would cost more than conventional wheat seed. However, he claimed they would not increase farmers’ overall input costs.
Under the proposed arrangement, UAF will provide expertise in wheat genetics, breeding and agronomy. It will also facilitate access to breeding material and support field, laboratory and greenhouse research.
The university will further encourage exchanges between students and faculty members.
Guard Agriculture will contribute commercial expertise and support multi-location testing. The company will also facilitate access to seed production and commercial testing facilities.
In addition, it plans to provide research grants, PhD support, master’s fellowships and internships.
The LoI provides for joint ownership of intellectual property, breeding material, technology and research outputs developed through the collaboration.
Shahzad Ali Malik said Guard Agriculture had introduced hybrid rice in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh. He said the initiative had contributed to farmers’ economic improvement.
He added that the agreement reflected the company’s commitment to improving wheat yields. Malik also said he would work to revive cotton cultivation in Pakistan as head of the LCCI Standing Committee on Agriculture.
LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar said agriculture would remain a major priority during his tenure. He added that the sector would feature prominently in the chamber’s engagement with the government.
Representatives of seed companies also attended the ceremony. They included Sajjad Sulaiman Malik and Momin Ali Malik of Guard Executive Seed Division.
The collaboration aims to connect scientific research with commercial development. Its success will depend on research results, field performance and the economic benefits hybrid wheat can deliver to farmers.
