On October 2, 2025, A delegation from the Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA), led by Executive Director Muhammad Sarwar Rahi and Vice President Farhan Aziz, visited the Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab University to discuss practical pathways for reducing the excessive use of chemical pesticides in Pakistan’s agriculture.

During a meeting with Prof. Dr. Amna Shoaib, Chairperson, the delegation reviewed current challenges linked to pesticide overuse, resistance, residue issues, farmer safety, and environmental impacts. Prof. Dr. Amna Shoaib outlined a set of biological control strategies and the expanded role of biopesticides as safer, cost-effective alternatives. The discussion centered on how targeted biocontrol agents, improved application protocols, and integrated pest management (IPM) can cut chemical loads while sustaining yields. The delegation toured multiple laboratories in the department, where they were briefed on ongoing research in biocontrol, biopesticide formulation, and plant-microbe interactions. PCPA representatives commended the department’s efforts and underlined the “urgent need for a robust link between industry and academia” to accelerate the development, scaling, and field deployment of environmentally friendly disease-management solutions. As part of the collaboration, PCPA committed to facilitating internships and field placements for final-year students of the Department of Plant Pathology, enabling them to gain hands-on exposure to commercial production, stewardship, and real-world IPM practices.

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Agreement in principle to deepen industry–academia collaboration for eco-friendly, cost-effective crop protection.

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Focus on biocontrol and biopesticide pathways to reduce chemical dependence.

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Laboratory tours and research briefings to align R&D with field needs.

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Internship and placement support from PCPA to build student capacity and bridge the skills gap.

The visit marks a concrete step toward translating university research into scalable solutions for farmers, with shared benefits for productivity, public health, and environmental sustainability.