Pakistan and South Korea Advance Aeroponic Seed Collaboration
Pakistan is preparing a significant shift in its seed potato supply system as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) presented the feasibility study for a proposed Seed Potato Production and Supply Centre (SPPSC) in Islamabad. The findings were delivered during a briefing at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), attended by Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, who chaired the session.
According to the official announcement, the SPPSC would be established at PARC and is designed to introduce aeroponics and tissue-culture technologies to strengthen domestic seed potato production. Pakistan remains heavily dependent on imported seed despite being a major potato producer, a gap the government aims to close through technological upgrades and international partnerships.
Hussain stated that “Pakistan’s heavy reliance on imported seed potatoes—despite our massive cultivation area and high demand—remains a critical challenge that must be addressed through technology and collaboration. The SPPSC project will significantly reduce import dependency and help Pakistan achieve self-sufficiency in high-quality seed production.” He added that “Korea’s leadership in aeroponics and tissue culture technology offers Pakistan a unique opportunity to modernize our seed systems, enhance productivity by up to 20 percent, and expand access to virus-free certified seed for more than 100,000 farmers.”
Government officials described the initiative as both timely and “transformational” for the country’s potato sector, where limited access to certified seed continues to constrain yields and increase production costs for growers. KOICA’s involvement would introduce modern propagation systems aimed at improving quality, stabilising supply and supporting long-term sector competitiveness. Further steps are expected following Pakistan’s review of the feasibility study and approval processes for the proposed centre.
