Pakistan's agriculture sector received international praise when Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, a researcher from Shah Latif University in Khairpur, Sindh, was awarded the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. He won in the "Influential Figure" category during a grand ceremony held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
The event lasted two days and brought together participants from 66 countries to celebrate progress and innovation in sustainable agriculture. Dr. Markhand’s award is a proud moment for Pakistan, showing the country’s valuable role in agricultural research worldwide.
Dr. Markhand said he felt deeply honored to receive the award for his work in date palm research. He also shared that more than 180 researchers from 28 different countries had applied for the award in the same category. In the end, Pakistan and Egypt were selected as the winners, marking a big achievement on the global stage.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the ceremony to organize the Second Pakistan International Date Palm Festival 2025 in Pakistan.
The MoU was signed by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, representing Pakistan, and Khalifa International Award General Secretary Dr Abdelouahhab Zaid.
The MoU aims to promote date palm cultivation and sustainable farming practices. It seeks to foster innovation and knowledge exchange between Pakistan and the UAE, strengthening their agricultural collaboration.
Hussain emphasised the significance of Pakistan-UAE collaboration, stating: "This MoU and Dr Markhand's recognition reflect Pakistan's commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainable practices. Together, we can address global challenges like food security and climate change."
While discussing date production potential in Pakistan, Hussain said that the MoU will help enhance date production and introduce new varieties in the country. He expressed hope that Pakistan-UAE collaboration will lead to an increase in date exports from Pakistan.
