Climate-smart pest control takes center stage:Experts

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2026) Agriculture experts on Monday said that climate-smart pest control has become a critical priority as rising pest threats, intensified by climate change,could pose a serious risk to Pakistan’s food security.

Addressing a meeting at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI),experts noted that rapid and erratic changes in weather patterns are accelerating pest attacks on major crops,making timely scientific intervention increasingly essential.

The meeting,chaired by Chief Scientist Agriculture (Research) Punjab Dr.Sajid-ur-Rehman at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,formally approved a comprehensive Kharif Research Program 2026-27 focused on modern,ECO-friendly pest management strategies.

Speaking on the occasion,Dr.Sajid-ur-Rehman said innovation in agricultural research, coupled with adoption of advanced production technologies was no longer optional but essential for safeguarding national food security.

He emphasized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a sustainable approach combining preventive measures,biological control and judicious use of chemicals to minimize environmental impact.

He also urged the private sector to expedite the introduction of new-chemistry pesticides to strengthen crop protection systems and help meet food security challenges amid evolving climatic conditions.

Chief Scientist of Entomological Research Institute Faisalabad,Dr.Arshad Makhdoom Sabir,while briefing the meeting said that scientific teams were conducting long-term research on pest life cycles affecting crops, vegetables and fruits.

He added that these studies were enabling the development of targeted and more effective pest control strategies.

During the meeting,experts including Dr.Dilbar Hussain,Dr.Shamim Akhtar,Imran Nadeem,Dr.Asifa Hameed,Dr.Tamseela Nazir,Humaira Malik,Misbah Ashraf and Ayesha Iftikhar presented 20 new and 50 ongoing research experiments aligned with field-level agricultural challenges.

The proposals were reviewed in detail and technical recommendations were given to enhance their impact.

Professor Dr.Abdul Qadir of the University of the Punjab said that pest prediction would become increasingly important in the context of climate change,adding that timely scientific forecasting could help avert large-scale crop losses and strengthen food security.

Later,Chairman Department of Entomology,University of Agriculture Faisalabad Prof Dr.Waseem Akram reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen linkages between academic and research institutions,stressing the need for effective transfer of modern technologies to farmers for sustainable agricultural development.