USDA Delegation Visits ICARDA in Pakistan

ICARDA Pakistan recently hosted Mr. Mark Dries, Agriculture Counsellor at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, to review progress under the USDA-funded Fertilize Right Pakistan project.

The visit included a field demonstration at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), where one of the project’s implementing partners, the Land Resources Research Institute (LRRI), has established wheat demonstration plots. The trials compare farmers’ conventional practices with improved fertilizer management approaches designed to increase efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.

The USDA delegation consisted of Mr. Mark Dries, USDA Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and Mr. Asmat Raza, Senior Agriculture Specialist. During the field visit, Dr. Humair Ahmed, Senior Scientific Officer at LRRI, together with ICARDA staff, briefed the visitors on the fertilizer management technologies and practices applied in the wheat demonstration trials. The discussions focused on their potential to improve fertilizer use efficiency and effectiveness, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers through the use of bio- and organic alternatives, and lower nitrogen inputs. These approaches can contribute to higher crop yields and improved farmer incomes while reducing nitrous oxide emissions associated with excessive nitrogen use, supporting efforts to mitigate climate change.

ICARDA and LRRI scientists also presented the application of 4R nutrient stewardship, which promotes using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. Demonstrated practices included soil-test-based fertilizer recommendations, precision placement near plant roots, use of slow- and controlled-release fertilizers, and integration of biofertilizers and organic inputs such as humic acid.

Following the field visit, the delegation met with ICARDA staff at the ICARDA Pakistan Country Office. Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz, ICARDA Country Coordinator, presented ICARDA’s long-standing collaboration with the USDA in Pakistan, highlighting joint efforts to improve soil health and fertility, strengthen water management, and develop cotton varieties resistant to cotton leaf curl virus. The discussions also emphasized the shared benefits of this partnership for Pakistan and the United States through collaborative research and knowledge exchange.

Mr. Dries expressed appreciation for the progress achieved under the Fertilize Right Pakistan project and the strong collaboration between ICARDA, national research institutions, and development partners. The visit highlighted how science-based fertilizer management can support sustainable agricultural productivity, improve farmer livelihoods, and contribute to climate mitigation efforts in Pakistan.