Pakistan delegation explores Narrabri region’s agricultural innovation

FOURTEEN Australia Awards Fellows from Pakistan recently visited the University of Sydney’s Narrabri campus, immersing themselves in one of the country’s leading agricultural research regions as part of the fellowship – Building Resilience in Food Security in Pakistan by Improving Climate–Resilient Agroecosystems.

The fellowship, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, brings together emerging research leaders from top Pakistani universities to further expand their knowledge and skills in advanced agricultural technologies and share solutions to the common challenges of food security and climate resilience.

During their week in Narrabri, the delegation visited the University’s nationally recognised research facilities and met with scientists, growers, farmers, agricultural professionals and industry leaders.

Standout stops during the trip included the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Australian Food and Fibre, Cotton Seed Distributors, Crop Capsules and local farming enterprises, with discussions on precision agriculture, crop improvement, cotton production and sustainable farming systems.

The program also introduced fellows to Indigenous perspectives on caring for Country, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge alongside modern agricultural science in building resilient farming systems.

The visits were facilitated by Professor Daniel Tan and local Dr Rebecca Thistlethwaite, an agricultural scientist at University of Sydney’s Plant Breeding Institute, Narrabri.

Pakistan delegation members visiting Louise Dreyfus Company, Namoi Cotton, pictured with locals Peter Nolan and Jacob Booby.

Professor Daniel Tan, program director of the fellowship at the University of Sydney, said the agricultural region provided an ideal learning environment where research discoveries are translated into real–world farming practice.

Fellow delegation leader Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar said the visit demonstrated how long–term partnerships between researchers, industry and farmers can help address shared challenges faced by both Australia and Pakistan.

Throughout the five–week fellowship, participants are set to develop new knowledge in plant breeding, climate–resilient agriculture, agronomy, digital agriculture and research leadership, while building lasting professional relationships between Australian and Pakistani institutions.

The Narrabri tour highlighted the important role regional Australia plays in agricultural innovation and international collaboration, showcasing research with relevance well beyond Australia’s borders.

Dr Thistlethwaite has a special connection with the group, having previously travelled to Pakistan, where she met some of the members of the delegation andALI SMITH

Fourteen Australia Awards Fellows from Pakistan recently visited the University of Sydney’s Narrabri campus, immersing themselves in one of the country’s leading agricultural research regions as part of the fellowship – Building Resilience in Food Security in Pakistan by Improving Climate–Resilient Agroecosystems.

The fellowship, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, brings together emerging research leaders from top Pakistani universities to further expand their knowledge and skills in advanced agricultural technologies and share solutions to the common challenges of food security and climate resilience.

During their week in Narrabri, the delegation visited the University’s nationally recognised research facilities and met with scientists, growers, farmers, agricultural professionals and industry leaders.

Pakistan delegation members visiting Australian Food & Fibre, pictured with local Mark Noble.

Standout stops during the trip included the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Australian Food and Fibre, Cotton Seed Distributors, Crop Capsules and local farming enterprises, with discussions on precision agriculture, crop improvement, cotton production and sustainable farming systems.

The program also introduced fellows to Indigenous perspectives on caring for Country, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge alongside modern agricultural science in building resilient farming systems.

The visits were facilitated by Professor Daniel Tan and local Dr Rebecca Thistlethwaite, an agricultural scientist at University of Sydney’s Plant Breeding Institute, Narrabri.

Professor Daniel Tan, program director of the fellowship at the University of Sydney, said the agricultural region provided an ideal learning environment where research discoveries are translated into real–world farming practice.

Fellow delegation leader Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar said the visit demonstrated how long–term partnerships between researchers, industry and farmers can help address shared challenges faced by both Australia and Pakistan.

Throughout the five–week fellowship, participants are set to develop new knowledge in plant breeding, climate–resilient agriculture, agronomy, digital agriculture and research leadership, while building lasting professional relationships between Australian and Pakistani institutions.

The Narrabri tour highlighted the important role regional Australia plays in agricultural innovation and international collaboration, showcasing research with relevance well beyond Australia’s borders.

Dr Thistlethwaite has a special connection with the group, having previously travelled to Pakistan, where she met some of the members of the delegation and gained a firsthand