PANEL OF EXPERTS

Dr. Mansab Ali

Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, is an agronomist by profession having above 30 years of R & D experience in farming systems research for field crops in general and vegetables (open field & off season) in particular. He completed several development projects including AIP-Agricultural Innovation Program & Farming Systems Research funded by USAID; National Drainage Program funded by World Bank; South Asian Vegetable Research Network of AVRDC-World Vegetable Center, Taiwan; Kitchen Gardening and Off-season Vegetable Projects, Government of Pakistan. Short term assignments for major dams, irrigation canals & drainage feasibility / technical reports with FAO of the UN, National Development Consultants, Conye et Bellier, Consulting Engineers, Paris, France. Prior to joining as Horticulture Project Leader-Pakistan for AVRDC-World Vegetable Center in late 2013, Dr. Ali served as Director, Horticultural Research Institute & Agricultural Poly-technique Institute and National Coordinator, Vegetable at National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan. He holds extensive experience in human resource development especially good agricultural practices (GAP), community and institutional capacity building of various field and horticultural crops stakeholders by strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) for improving agribusiness. Business activities related to agriculture project planning, implementation and resource management remained area of focus.

Dr. Aman Ullah Cheema

A Livestock Specialist holds M. Sc. and Ph. D. in Animal Nutrition (Ruminant Nutrition) from New Mexico State University, USA. Started career as Scientific Officer and rose to the position of principal Scientific Officer at Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad. Has authored a number of research papers, publications and popular articles; supervised number of research studies at post graduate level. A silage technology unit was established at Livestock Research Station, NARC and imparted training to progressive farmers for commercial production. Facilitated Nili Bar Feeds (Pvt.) Ltd. as Production Manager to produce feeds for dairy and beef animals. Developed training manual for training of trainers regarding nutritional management of ruminants for the project Reduction of Malnutrition and Stunting growth in Sindh under Institute of Rural Management, Islamabad; has served in Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations as short term consultant to identify milk production belt in Muzaffarabad district, AJK, also developed a one year schedule of dairy production skills training program for Community Development Group members; worked as subject specialist in Neelum Jhelum Valley’s Community Development Project to impart training regarding assessment of nutritional requirements of animals, fodder availability in the area and least cost ration formulation to fulfill the animal needs.

Dr. Abdul Majid

He is a Country Manager/Senior Scientist of International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). He has well over 30 years of professional experience in management and research positions. This includes private sector, federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, Aus-Aid/ ACIAR, ADB, USDA and USAID funded projects to Pakistan. During his Professional career, he implemented many research projects with different donors, During his professional career he has worked on many aspects of agriculture research and development including “National Coordinator/Agronomist (Wheat), National Agri. Res. Centre, Islamabad”, “Senior Agriculturist/Farming System Expert, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP, Gilgit)”, “Farming Systems Research Specialist/National Coordinator, National Agriculture Research Center, Islamabad” he Initiated Farming Systems Research Progarmme in the country in collaboration with various provincial institutions. He has created public-private partnerships to bring dairy and food security processing companies in Pakistan. At present, Dr. Abdul Majid is working on Capacity building of Agri Service Providers in Soil fertility and soil health and Water management. Also working on agronomic aspects of Cotton -wheat cropping system in Pakistan. Main emphasis of his work has been working with poor communities in Pakistan.

Dr Munir Ahmad

An Agricultural Engineer and holds Ph.D. from Iowa State University of Science & Technology, Ames, Iowa, USA. He has more than 35 years of experiences in R&D with focus on development of innovative equipment for farm mechanization, and postharvest processing of fruit and vegetables. He worked two years as Visiting Research Fellow at Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne on development of solar grain cooling system for stored grains. He worked in solar energy in agriculture in general and solar dates drying in particular, resource conservation [development and adoption of zero-tillage technology and fertilizer band placement technology for wheat], development and evaluation of mobile flat-bed dryer for sunflower, maize and canola, and natural resource management [solar integrated high efficiency irrigation system and bio-gas production technology]. As Member [Natural Resources Division] PARC, he looked after the projects related to efficient use of water for agriculture, renewable energy, climate change (adaptation & mitigation) and rangeland management in the country. He played key role in establishing Department of Natural Resource Management at PARC Institute of Advanced Studies in Agriculture, NARC, Islamabad. He won and implemented SAARC Development Fund (SDF) funded project in value addition of dates and banana in Khairpur and Sukkur. He also supported SDF to implement this project on “Postharvest and Value Addition of Fruits in Production Catchment” in six SAARC countries [Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka]. He contributed in developing National Food Security & Research Policy-2018. Before his superannuation on May 10, 2019, he worked in various positions [Chairman, Member (Natural Resources), D.G. (Planning and Development) at PARC HQs and Senior Director Agricultural Engineering Institute, at NARC. He is member of various professional societies including the “American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers”.

Dr. Khalid Mahmood

Achieved his Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral in horticulture from The University of Reading United Kingdom. Professionally he is a horticulturist. He has 36 years’ experience in research & development and teaching in the field of horticulture. He also served as horticulture consultant in an International organization. He performed as horticulturist for fruit orchard management, fruit crops introduction, evaluation, selection, multiplication and distribution to farmers for commercial production. He developed cultural practices for fruits like grapes trellising system, peach pruning system, drip and sprinkler irrigation system in fruit orchards. He also introduced zero tillage practice in fruit orchard and high-density plantation of fruit crops like peach, fig and guava. He introduced 4 varieties of summer grapes which are now commercially grown in Pothowar region of Pakistan. He also selected peach and olive cultivars under Italian project which are now considered as most popular cultivars of subtropical areas of Pakistan. Cultivation of strawberry was first time practiced at National Agriculture Research Center Islamabad by him and now strawberry is successfully grown on commercial basis all over the country. He assisted as Project Incharge and Project Director for various National and International fruit crops Projects funded by ALP, PSDP, SAARC, Australia and Italy. He developed clean and true to types fruit crops nursery at National Agriculture Research Center Islamabad. He produced four PhD scholars and 15 Master students on various aspects of production technology of strawberry, citrus and grapes crops. He served as Senior Director Horticulture at Horticulture Research Institute NARC, Islamabad. He also severed as Associate Professor in Department of Horticulture at Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and taught many courses on fruit crops cultivation. During his service tenure he focused on research for the improvement of production and product quality of strawberry, grapes, peach, fig, pear, olive and citrus crops.

Dr. Abdul Rehman

An Entomologist and hold PhD from IACR-Rothamsted /University of Reading UK. His professional career had been convergent towards research, since joining Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Islamabad Pakistan. Serving over 35 years, his skills set enfold experience in multi-dimensional sector of agriculture especially sustainable rice crop production including introduction of climate smart crop varieties and climate resilient crop management technologies, crop protection (IPM). He demonstrated knowledge of research management and coordination for the improvement of rice industry of Pakistan while working as National Coordinator Rice. He has strong insight of agricultural organizations and was involved in National and International Programs of Agricultural Research for Development as Project Leader, National Coordinator and Consultant Established/strengthened linkages between IRRI and Pakistani rice scientists. Resultantly, number of international projects were developed and executed. He worked as Rice Crop Improvement Specialist of IRRI, Philippines, and planned, executed USAID funded commissioned projects under the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) in different rice ecologies of Pakistan. Similarly, he facilitated to implementing agency (PARB) and national partners, as Research Coordinator, ADB for effective implementation of research and development activities of Basmati value chain in Basmati growing areas of Punjab. Dr. Rehman holds extensive experience in human resource development thru TOF/FFS in rice-wheat system, good agricultural practices (GAP) and Community IPM; and institutional capacity building of various rice related stakeholders, and strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) for improving agribusiness. He has comprehensive knowledge of data handling, analysis and communication. Familiarity with report writing, presentations at seminars/workshops, meetings and training courses is additional expertise. His strength in willing to take initiatives and ever looking for challenging assignments is extra attribute.

Professor Dr. Usman Mustafa

Usman Mustafa is presently working as Team Leader, Water Conservation in Barani Area, Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Evaluation, Consultants. Before he served as Senior Consultant with Pakhtunkhwa Economic Policy Research Institute (PEPRI), AWK University, Mardan. Before this he served as Professor/Joint Director/Chief (Project), and HoD Management Studies at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). He has more than 36 years of meritorious research, marketing, teaching and development services record, in different International/National Organizations, Programs/projects. He got his PhD and MS in Economics from IRRI/University of Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) during 1991 and 1987, respectively. He also possessed MBA (Mkt.) from Pakistan. Beside these he too completed his Post Doctorate from AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan. Where he produced “Food Chain Analysis: Setting Research Priorities in Asia”. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center books Chapters on Indonesia and Thailand. Beside he produced number of “Marketing and Value Changes Analysis studies for international and national institutes. Dr. Mustafa has the expertise in marketing, supply change/value addition, economics, management, policy analysis, training, M&E, HRM, environment, planning, co-ordination and collaboration, team building, development, formal and informal diagnostic survey. He is also visiting faculty member in number of Universities, teaching and training institutes. He is a certified trainer from World Bank Group. He has also been an active member of different international/national social and academic organizations. He has more than 85 research publication on his credit.

Dr. Akhter Ali

A mid-career Agricultural Economist having more than 19 years research and development experience of working at national and international levels. He completed his PhD in 2010 from University of Kiel, Germany with very good grades. He has excellent academic record securing scholarships during middle, matric, BSc (Hons.), MSc (Hons.) and PhD studies. He started his professional career as social organizer with National Rural Support Program (NRSP) after that he served Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) for more than 12 years as Scientist and Senior Scientist while serving Social Sciences Division (SSD) in Quetta and Islamabad. He served International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) as Agricultural Economist for nearly 7 years i.e. 2013-2020. He has excellent achievements while serving at international level with CIMMYT as was the first economist to be featured in the ground breaking series of CIMMYT where the achievements of young scientist are acknowledged. Dr. Ali also twice got first prize for the most number of publications among group of more than 30 internationally selected Economist i.e. during 2016 and 2018. He has more than 61 referred journal articles on his credit. The cumulative impact factors of the papers are more than 170. The h index is 23 and h10 index is 35. The total numbers of citations are more than 1611. He has successfully implemented gender focus Gennovate project in KP and Balochistan provinces. His research interest includes Social inclusiveness, Gender, Adoption and Impact Evaluation, Climate Change, Food Security and Value Chain etc.

Dr. Muhammad Aslam

A Soil Scientist and hold Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri, USA. He has 40 years of Research and development (R&D) experience in agriculture including soil and crop management. He has completed several national and international R&D projects. Some of the key projects were soil fertility and health management, recycling of organic resources, legume cereal rotational cropping systems, development & promotion of biofertilizers, and trainings of farmers and rural youth as Farm Managers & Livestock Managers. Dr. Aslam has served as Head of Soil Microbiology Laboratory, Director of Agricultural Poly-technique Institute and National Coordinator of two ACIAR projects and NAVTTC training project. As head of Soil Microbiology team he played a key role in the development & promotion of the Biozote (Biofertilizer) that has been registered & commercialized now. Since July 2014, Dr. Aslam has been serving the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) as Consultant Soil Fertility and Health to implement three projects on demonstration, dissemination & diffusion of several innovative soil and water management technologies for adoption by the farmers in all provinces of Pakistan.

Mr. Farrukh Baig Mirza

A Pakistani national, has worked domestically and internationally for nearly 40 years, managing, and directing operations of private sector packing, storing, and marketing enterprises. He has a deep understanding of pre- and post-harvest handling of high-value horticulture crops, cold chain, and value chain development, and of building regional and international market linkages. As the COP of PAD (and previously the USDA Pakistan Agriculture and Cold Chain Development Project), Mr. Mirza applied his private sector experience to develop a value chain approach that emphasized increasing production by disseminating GAP, as well as post-harvest processing. Mr. Mirza demonstrated his ability to adapt and successfully manage within complex and challenging situations. Throughout his career, he has built effective working teams and formed productive, collaborative private sector partnerships. He has worked with multi-stakeholders to build the capacity all along value chains. He obtained a Master of Science from both the University of Karachi and the University of Oslo. He speaks fluent English, Urdu, and Punjabi and can understand Sindhi well.

Muhammad Iqbal

An expert in agribusiness and value chain development, he holds an M.Sc (Hons) in Agricultural Economics and is a Fellow of the World Bank’s Economic Development Institute. With over fifty years of professional experience, he has held senior management and technical positions dedicated to agricultural and rural development, specializing in inclusive value chains and sustainable livelihoods.
His career spans significant roles in both the public sector and leading international organizations. Notable public sector appointments include Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (Ministry of Commerce) and General Manager of Agricultural Marketing and Storage Limited (Ministry of Finance).
His International organizations’ appointments include National Expert in Marketing and Post-harvest / Project Coordinator for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Marketing and Post-harvest Management Adviser for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Deputy Chief of Party for the Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development.
In these long-term development roles, he designed and led comprehensive programs focusing on stakeholder engagement, capacity building, infrastructure development, and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices. His work emphasized innovative, market-driven approaches, including public-private partnerships, cost-sharing models, and building market linkages that meet international quality and safety standards to overcome trade barriers.
He has also completed numerous short-term consultancies, both nationally and internationally. Throughout his career, agribusiness—and horticultural value chains in particular—has remained his core focus. This combination of advanced education and extensive hands-on experience provides him with a deep, practical insight into the socio-economic needs of farmers and the pathways to sustainable sectoral growth.

Professional Experience Marcel Stallen

Marcel Stallen (1957) is a senior consultant specialized in Agribusiness, Value Chains and Markets, who recently retired from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Until June 2022 he was FAO (ad interim) manager of “The Horticulture Advancement Activity” (THAzA, funded by USAID) and the EU funded project “Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) in Pakistan. Additionally he coordinated a regional FAO project on: “Accelerating digital Innovations in value chains with SME’s in Asia”
From March 2015 until November 1, 2019 Marcel was FAO Chief Technical Advisor Balochistan (Pakistan). In this position he was responsible – among other activities – for the implementation of the Australia Balochistan Agribusiness Programme (AusABBA); Empowerment of Women in Balochistan through Agri Entrepreneurship project (both projects funded by the Australian Government, DFAT) and the Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP, funded by USAID).
For 9 years, from 2006 until 2015 Marcel worked as independent agri business consultant and was one of the co-owners of Fresh Dynamics Asia (FDA) with local offices in Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Netherlands. FDA offered companies and public clients, such as development organizations, universities and NGO’s, project management, implementation and project development assistance as well as supply chain and marketing support in Asia and Africa. Apart from conducting short term consultancies, Marcel managed the FDA Indonesia operations, consisting of a team of 8 national and 1 international staff.
From 2000 until 2006 Marcel was Head of Department of Marketing and Horticultural Chain Research of the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (part of Wageningen University and Research Centre). He was also one of the founders and directors of the ‘Wageningen Expertise Centre for Chain and Network Studies’. Major fields of expertise during this period were: management of agricultural R&D programs and development and implementation of (international) supply chain projects, mostly with smallholders’ and private sector participation.
Previously, for 9 years, Marcel was employed by the Dutch Commodity Board for Horticulture, as coordinator horticultural research. Through this position he has built an excellent network and relations with major, worldwide operating, European companies in the fruit, vegetables and flower business.
Earlier he worked for 7 years with the Dutch Ministry for International Development Cooperation (DGIS) in Indonesia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Pakistan and the Netherlands Organization of Volunteers (SNV) in Zambia.

Summary of Relevant Work Experience

Senior consultant Agribusiness, Value Chains and Markets for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), developing new projects, such as the EU funded Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme and managing the FAO component of the EU funded, ITC (International Trade Centre) led GRASP programme (Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress) in Sindh and Balochistan and the USAID funded Horticulture Advancement Activity (THAzA).
Chief Technical Advisor / Project Manager Balochistan for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, managing agri business and value chain projects in Pakistan: the Australia Balochistan Agribusiness Programme (AusABBA); Empowerment of Women in Balochistan through agri entrepreneurship (WEE, funded by the Australian Government, DFAT) and Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP, funded by USAID).
Managing partner / director and consultant Fresh Dynamics Asia (FDA) with offices in Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Within Fresh Dynamics Asia responsible for: management and strategy development; project and programme development and management; account management with Netherlands Embassies; hands’ on supply chain support, training and staff development, assessment of horticultural and commodity supply chains and to advise companies, Governments and donor agencies on agricultural development strategies and innovations. As FDA director / owner responsible for the FDA Indonesia operations, consisting of a team of 8 national and 1 international staff.
International business developer and part time lecturer international supply chains at IFA (International Food and Agribusiness) BSc course at HAS University of Applied Sciences, ‘s Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Head of Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Research of the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (WUR – LEI) and one of the founders / director of ‘Wageningen Expertise Centre for Chain and Network Studies’.
Head of Department Horticultural Research Coordination with Dutch Commodity Board for Horticulture (Productschap Tuinbouw).
Employed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Dutch Ministry for International Development Cooperation (DGIS) working on fruits & vegetables in Pakistan, Indonesia and Zambia.
Consultancy and evaluation missions for Dutch and international organizations and companies.