Pakistan, July 5 -- The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has become practically non-functional in FY2025-26, as no research project was included for it in the new Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Despite government claims of prioritizing agriculture, no research work is now active at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), PARC's main arm. Only one project-potato seed production with South Korea's support-will continue during the year.

According to sources, the government suspended two ongoing projects, including one focused on enhancing pulse production and another to upgrade a mountain research center in Gilgit-Baltistan. Meanwhile, five new schemes were added to the PSDP under the Ministry of Nationa...