Lahore: Senior executives from Syngenta, a prominent entity in agricultural science, convened with Punjab officials this week to enhance collaboration and address pressing challenges in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The visit aims to bolster sustainable agriculture and reaffirm Pakistan’s role in the global agricultural arena.

According to Syngenta Pakistan Limited, the regional leadership team, including Alex Berkovskiy, President for the Africa, Middle East, and Asia region, and Jerome Barbaron, Business Head for Africa and the Middle East, met with Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, the Governor of Punjab, and Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Secretary of Agriculture, Punjab. Discussions with these officials and other stakeholders focused on adopting modern crop protection tools and bio-stimulants, vital for improving climate resilience in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s agriculture, employing nearly 40 percent of the workforce, faces challenges from climate variability, such as erratic monsoons and droughts. Syngenta’s leadership identified taxation on agricultural inputs as a barrier to accessing advanced technologies. Zeeshan Hasib Baig, Country General Manager of Syngenta Pakistan, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s farmers and contributing to a secure food future.

Provincial officials showed willingness to maintain dialogue, with an emphasis on science-based policy reform to ensure long-term food security.