PM stresses innovation-led agriculture growth

Shehbaz orders early formulation of comprehensive National Agriculture Policy

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the early formulation of a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy in consultation with the provinces and ordered the establishment of an 'Agriculture Apex Forum' for an effective implementation of the agriculture innovation and growth plan.

Chairing a review meeting on the transformation of the National Food Security Ministry and the reforms in the agriculture sector, the prime minister also directed the launch of a nationwide awareness campaign for the 'Zarkhez-e Agricultural Loan Programme' to improve farmers' access to affordable financing.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office Media Wing, the prime minister underscored the need to promote value addition in agricultural produce, improve warehousing facilities and develop modern storage systems.

Emphasising the importance of agricultural research, the prime minister directed that the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) be developed into a genuine centre for agricultural innovation and research, the statement said.

He said that Pakistan's agriculture sector had the potential to drive sustainable economic growth and stressed that improved seed quality, modern farming technologies, and the timely availability of water and fertilisers would significantly enhance per-acre crop yields.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, besides Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, the prime minister's Coordinator on Agriculture Ahmad Umair and others.

The participants presented proposals for reforming the agriculture sector. The meeting was informed that the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited would provide financial support to improve farmers' access to agricultural loans.

The prime minister was informed that the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) was producing multi-grain flour on a pilot basis and also briefed him on the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based application to help farmers identify and effectively manage crop pests and diseases.

Officials told the meeting that the National Seed Policy and the National Agriculture Biotechnology Policy had recently been approved, while consultations on the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy had been completed and the policy would soon be submitted for approval.

The meeting was also informed that consultations were under way on a National Wheat Policy as well as several livestock-related policies.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)