China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding International Lab

The China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding International Lab was established in March 2023 through a collaboration between the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University (Pakistan), the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). The laboratory is supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology’s foreign aid program for developing countries.Building on China’s successful experience in molecular breeding technologies, the lab introduces advanced molecular breeding techniques and elite wheat varieties to Pakistan. It aims to train professional breeders and technicians in Pakistan, enhance the country’s scientific capacity in wheat breeding, and develop germplasm and varieties that benefit both countries.

By June 2025, China and Pakistan have jointly developed a 5K wheat breeding chip. Using molecular marker technology, genes for resistance to stripe rust and leaf rust from Chinese wheat varieties have been introduced into Pakistani wheat lines, leading to the successful development of new wheat varieties adapted to northern regions of Pakistan. These varieties show an 8–10% increase in yield, strong disease resistance, and are expected to significantly boost local wheat production and farmers’ incomes once approved and popularized. Additionally, the laboratory has organized two bilateral seminars, jointly trained 10 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and provided training for more than 200 scientific staff.