PM Shehbaz pushes for sweeping agriculture reforms

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy in consultation with the provinces and ordered that the Ministry of National Food Security, Research and Agricultural Reforms be reorganised on modern lines.

Chairing a meeting on agricultural reforms, the prime minister also ordered the creation of an apex forum for the sector to support innovation and raise crop productivity. He said the proposed body should meet every month to ensure effective implementation of the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan.

The prime minister instructed authorities to begin a countrywide awareness campaign for the Zarkhez Agricultural Loan Programme so that farmers could more easily obtain agricultural financing. He also said the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council should be developed into a true centre of excellence for agricultural research.

According to details shared at the meeting, the premier said agriculture had the capacity to place Pakistan on a path of sustainable economic growth. He said better seeds, modern farming methods, and the timely supply of water and fertilisers could substantially improve per-acre yields. He also underlined the importance of value addition in farm produce, along with stronger warehousing arrangements and modern storage infrastructure.

Briefing on reform proposals

Participants in the meeting were given a detailed briefing and proposals for changes in the agriculture sector were presented. Officials from the National Agricultural Research Centre told the meeting that the centre was producing multi-grain flour on a pilot basis.

The same officials said work was under way on an AI-based mobile application designed to help farmers detect crop diseases and pests and suggest suitable control measures. The meeting was further told that the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited would extend financial support aimed at improving farmers’ access to affordable agricultural loans.

Officials also informed participants that the National Seed Policy and the National Agriculture Biotechnology Policy had recently been approved. Consultations on the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy have been completed, and the policy will soon be sent to the federal cabinet for approval.

The meeting was additionally informed that consultations were continuing on a National Wheat Policy, as well as a number of policies related to the livestock sector.

Who attended the meeting

Those present included federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar and Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani; Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar; the prime minister’s coordinator on agriculture, Ahmed Omer; and senior officials from the relevant ministries and institutions.