On 2 July 2025 a ‘Knowledge Sharing Workshop on Agricultural Machinery Standards and Testing Codes Development’ was held at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The workshop was organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in collaboration with CSAM, PARC and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), to support the establishment of a testing centre in Pakistan, along with the adoption of relevant international standards and testing codes in the framework of CSAM’s initiative titled Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM).

The workshop was organized around two sessions: during the first one on ‘international collaboration to achieve sustainable agricultural mechanization’, CSAM presented its overall work and mandate, with a focus on the ANTAM initiative. Experts from the University of the Philippines Los Banos and its Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) also presented on their national policy and legislation, as well as membership and contribution to ANTAM. In the second session, national experts presented on the role of federal government, provincial governments, research institutes, and academia to support the implementation of policies for standardized machinery and robust testing protocols to ensure efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

The event brought together about 100 researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the advancement and harmonization of agricultural machinery standards, the implementation of effective testing codes, and the development of a national policy framework for sustainable agricultural mechanization. These discussions align with the broader agenda of enhancing agricultural productivity, improving safety, and promoting environmental sustainability within the agricultural sector of Pakistan. A concluding panel with speakers from the private sector, academia, and the engineer’s association highlighted the benefits that international testing procedures and standards would bring to local manufacturing as well as farmers. 

The Chairman of PARC emphasized the critical need for Pakistan to align its agricultural mechanization practices with international standards. ADB reiterated its commitment to support the development of sustainable agricultural systems in Pakistan, including through the sponsoring of a dedicated office space for the Pakistan National Focal Point to CSAM and ANTAM, which has been since its inception the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). Following the workshop, the office space was formally inaugurated at the Agricultural Engineering Institute of NARC-PARC.

Alongside the workshop, from 1 to 4 July CSAM and ADB conducted a field visit in Islamabad, Gujranwala and Lahore, to meet with relevant officials from the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives; Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination; and Ministry of Science & Technology; as well as the Punjab Agriculture Department; and visit manufacturers and stakeholders as a follow up to the study tour conducted on March 2023 and to support the planned establishment of Pakistan’s testing centre and adoption of standards and testing procedures.