LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, has called for the urgent revitalization of Pakistan’s agricultural sector, emphasizing the need for long-term planning and innovation.
Speaking to the media during his visit to a cotton research farm on Defence Road in Lahore on Saturday, Iqbal pointed out that the devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment has not been fully implemented, especially in the context of agriculture.
The minister highlighted that although the 18th Amendment transferred authority and resources to the provinces, agriculture has not received the attention it deserves at the provincial level. “After the 18th Amendment, agriculture became a provincial subject, and it was the responsibility of the provinces to uplift the sector. Unfortunately, they failed to deliver tangible progress,” he said.
Accompanied by renowned agricultural expert Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi, who has developed a new cotton seed variety after 25 years of research, Iqbal stressed that the lack of focus and commitment at the provincial level has hindered improvements in per-acre yield and the introduction of high-quality seeds for critical crops. “Our research institutions also failed to play an active role,” he added.
Iqbal emphasized the need for comprehensive planning to increase agricultural productivity, particularly for crops like cotton, canola, and rice. “We must now plan for the next ten years with clear goals. Time is slipping by, and unless we act decisively, we will continue to lag behind,” he said, calling for a united, forward-thinking approach to compete with global standards.
The minister also expressed concern about the absence of long-term national planning for the agricultural sector, noting that Pakistan must aim for self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports for essential crops. “We cannot afford to rely on imports for essential crops any longer,” he stated.
During his visit, Iqbal praised Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi for his groundbreaking work in developing a climate-resilient cotton seed variety that can thrive in temperatures up to 50°C. The new seed has the potential to significantly increase cotton yield, from the current 15 maunds per acre to 40–50 maunds per acre, marking a major advancement in the agricultural sector.
“This is nothing short of an agricultural revolution,” Iqbal remarked, pledging the government’s full support for experts from the private sector who bring innovative solutions. He also highlighted the potential for increased domestic production of canola oil, which could save the country billions of dollars in foreign exchange currently spent on imports.
In response to questions about the recent heavy rains, Iqbal stated that the federal government has formed a committee with representatives from all provinces to assess the damages. He also mentioned that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is collecting data to evaluate the scale of impact and formulate future response strategies.
Iqbal reiterated that the government is committed to supporting agricultural innovation and stressed that agriculture must become the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic self-reliance in the coming years.
