HarvestPlus is working with a wide variety of stakeholders in Pakistan to popularize nutrient-rich biofortified crop varieties. Partners include R&D institutions, food departments, public & private seed sectors, farmers, flour millers, academia, service providers, business partners, and members of civil society to popularize biofortified crop varieties. Our objective is to eliminate “hidden hunger” among the most malnourished populations in the country.
Country manager
HarvestPlus Pakistan
C/O Crop Sciences Institute,
National Agricultural Research Council,
Park Road, Islamabad,Pakistan
We are now renowned biofortified zinc wheat-growers and seed multipliers of the area. We enjoy growing biofortified wheat because we know that it is good for the health of our family, which gives us strength.” Farmer
Biofortified Crops in Pakistan*
*Includes varieties shown to meet HarvestPlus standards. Other varieties may be available in the country.
Varieties Released Database
This searchable database provides information on all biofortified crops variety releases by country.
Areas of Expertise
- Crop Development
- Seed Multiplication
- Seed and Grain Distribution
- Consumer Engagement
- Policy Engagement
Crop Development
Harvest Plus helps the Research & Development Institutions of Pakistan to breed, test, and release varieties of high Zinc wheat developed through a partnership with the CIMMYT. With the support and collaboration of HarvestPlus, Pakistan National and Provincial Wheat Programs have released two zinc wheat varieties so far, namely, Zincol-2016 and Akbar 2019.
Seed Multiplication
These biofortified wheat varieties have been approved by the Punjab Seed Council under the Ministry of Agriculture Punjab for multiplication of certified seed, and are licensed to several public and private seed companies to multiply seeds for local farmers.
Seed and Grain Distribution
HarvestPlus connects buyers, flour millers, and processors to farmers. Commercial seed is distributed through agro-dealers, government agricultural input support schemes, and non-governmental organizations.
Consumer Engagement
HarvestPlus increases awareness of zinc wheat through consumer education, gatherings, and advertisements using electronic & print media.
Policy Engagement
HarvestPlus advocacy seeks to strengthen national ownership of biofortification through effective integration into nutrition and agricultural policies of Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments.
Scaling Case Study: Zinc Wheat in Pakistan
This brief describes the model applied in Pakistan by HarvestPlus and partners to rapidly scale up zinc wheat seed production and distribution to farming families, reaching 1.4 million households (comprising 7 million people) in the span of only six years.
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Commercialisation of Biofortified Crops (CBC) Program (2019-2022)
Project Focus: To addresses hidden hunger in Bangladesh by significantly expanding the reach of nutrient-rich biofortified crops and foods in the market. Funder: The governments of Germany and the Netherlands.Implementing Partners: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and HarvestPlus. HarvestPlus Role: Advocating for the scale-up and commercialization of biofortified crop varieties to improve food security in Pakistan. Focus Crop: Zinc wheat.
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Zincol 2016 and Akbar 2019 Zinc Wheat
This marketing brochure in Urdu specifies details about Zincol 2016 and Akbar 2019 zinc wheat grown by thousands of farming households in Pakistan.
Learn MoreBiofortification news in Pakistan
Advancing Partnerships with Academia to Increase Production of Nutritious Foods
Nutritious Agri Future (Pvt) Ltd (NAF), a network entity of HarvestPlus Solutions, has announced strategic partnerships with key academic institutions, including the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore. Two separate tripartite agreements were signed between HarvestPlus, NAF, and these academic institutions to advance biofortification research, product […]
Biofortified Zinc Wheat Mobilized USD 85 Million Annual Investment in Seed Sector of Pakistan
Widespread cultivation of biofortified zinc wheat has mobilized considerable investment into the agricultural sector and during the 2024–25 cropping season alone, approximately 178,000 metric tons of certified zinc wheat seeds were planted. This initiative mobilized over USD 85 million annually in public and private sector investments, with nearly 80 percent coming from private companies. The […]
Empowering Pakistani Women Farmers with Zinc Enriched Wheat Varieties
Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024. This concerning performance reflects significant gender disparities, prompting calls for renewed efforts to enhance gender equality in all key sectors. Women play a vital role in agri-food systems, but their working conditions and economic opportunities are impacted by gender inequalities. They […]
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Join a growing movement to expand the reach and impact of nutrient-enriched staple crops in Pakistan.
Contact Our Pakistan TeamHarvestPlus Partners
We have more than 40 partners in the public, private, NGO, and policy engagement sectors who share our mission to improve nutrition and lives of people in Pakistan.
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