Message from the Project Leader

Greetings from AIP

At least 50 percent of Pakistan’s population derives most of its income from farming, processing and/or marketing of agricultural products. Yet agriculture contributes just 21 percent of the country’s GDP and is growing at 1.5 percent, compared to 5.8 percent growth in the overall economy.

The Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) is led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and features active collaborations with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the University of California – Davis and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

Agricultural research for development (AR4D) principles are being used to foster a demand-driven, results-oriented science research community to ultimately increase the contribution of agriculture to Pakistan’s GDP, thereby aiding overall economic growth and poverty alleviation within the country.

The long term goals of the project are food security, environmental protection, gender sensitization and poverty reduction through the adoption of sustainable technologies, resource management practices, advance agricultural models and improved systems.

AIP focus on the changes in immediate and intermediate outcomes through the alteration of knowledge, behavior and organizational strength of key agricultural sector players which are smallholder farmers, input suppliers, researchers, scientists, with particular concentration on women and youth.

In order to achieve sustainability and efficiency in production and delivery of products and services, the project has adopted collaborative mechanisms in which public organizations and private entities share resources, knowledge, and risks.

We appreciate continuous support of all our partners in creating a gender-sensitive sustainable agricultural innovation system in Pakistan.

Dr. Imtiaz Muhammad
AIP Project Leader/ Country Representative, CIMMYT, Pakistan