Scientists in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province have developed a potato variety capable of withstanding smoggy conditions, as authorities seek to protect the crop from the growing impact of air pollution, state media reported this week.

Pakistan's Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) has recommended repeat one-season trials for four table potato varieties - Cristina, GR-t33-13-2 (SANDRA), Rosegarden, and Primnsk - at research stations in Abbottabad and Islamabad.

The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has recommended 11 new potato varieties for commercial cultivation in Pakistan.

The Netherlands is exploring the possibility of starting a programme to grow salt-tolerant potatoes in Pakistan.