Cooperative farming key to sustainable agriculture

Minister says collective model will cut costs, ensure fair profits for farmers and reduce reliance on imports

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has said that cooperative farming will play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan's agriculture and ensuring food security.

Chairing a high-level meeting on cooperative farming and marketing, also attended by Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, President of the Chamber of Agriculture Punjab, and other stakeholders, the minister called the initiative the "backbone of sustainable agriculture." According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, Hussain noted that small and medium farmers, who make up the majority of cultivators, face persistent challenges in accessing modern technology, affordable inputs, and profitable markets. Cooperative farming, he said, provides a collective solution to these problems.

"Cooperative farming ensures that every farmer, regardless of land size, has access to advanced machinery, climate-smart techniques, interest-free agri-finance, and direct market linkages. This model reduces production costs, eliminates middlemen, and guarantees farmers a fair share of profit," he stated.

The minister stressed that the model will not only uplift the rural economy but also help Pakistan reduce reliance on costly food imports. With improved yields through intercropping and value addition, he said, the country can cut down its reliance on imported wheat, pulses, and edible oil, saving valuable foreign exchange.

Hussain praised the efforts of Rana Iftikhar Muhammad in promoting the cooperative farming model and assured that the government would extend full cooperation for its implementation. He added that the government is committed to supporting farmers through modern storage facilities, processing units, and export-oriented packaging centres under the cooperative model.

"This is not merely an agricultural plan," Hussain said. "It is a social and economic revolution that will empower farmers and secure Pakistan's future."

Reaffirming the government's resolve, he said the ministry would provide technical guidance and financial assistance through innovative mechanisms to ensure success.

"The cooperative model has the potential to transform Pakistan's agriculture into a competitive, resilient, and prosperous sector. Our goal is clear: save the farmer, secure Pakistan," concluded Hussain.