Agricultural Innovation Program

The Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) works to increase agricultural productivity and incomes in the agriculture sector through the development and dissemination of new agriculture technologies. The project is managed by a consortium of Consultative Group of International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) Centers and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). AIP builds partnerships between public research, farmers, and the private sector. AIP has three main activities, which do research on cereals and cereal systems (wheat, maize, and rice), livestock, vegetables and perennial horticulture. CIMMYT is the primary implementing partner taking overall responsibility for AIP and providing direct oversight of the agronomy, wheat, and maize commissioned projects while the four international partners, International Livestock Research Institute, University of California - Davis, the World Vegetable Centre, and the International Rice Research Institute lead on commissioned projects in livestock, tree fruits, vegetables, and rice. The Pakistan Agriculture Research Center serves as both the hosting partner and the lead on a competitive grants system. 
 
OBJECTIVES
 
AIP aims to foster the emergence of a dynamic, responsive, and competitive system of science and innovation that will catalyze equitable growth in agricultural production, productivity, and value.
 
MAIN ACTIVITIES
 
  • Introduce improved seed/planting materials (e.g. wheat, maize hybrids, vegetables, fruits, and rice)
  • Introduce of innovative and climate-smart machinery (e.g. Happy Seeder, Two Wheel Tractor, Rice Harvester, Mung bean Harvester)
  • Establish research boards to manage the small competitive grants activity
  • Build long duration and short duration capacity programs including vocational training, field days, workshops and helping students earn graduate degrees