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PM Shehbaz directs major overhaul of agriculture sector

• National Agriculture Policy to be finalised in consultation with provinces • Ministry of National Food Security to be restructured on modern lines ISLAMABAD: Calling for the immediate formulation of a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the restructuring of the Ministry of National Food Security, Research and Agricultural Reforms along modern lines. He also ordered the establishment of an apex forum for the agricultural sector to promote innovation and improve crop yields. Chairing a meeting, the prime minister directed that “a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy be finalised as soon as possible in consultation with the provinces”. He instructed the establishment of an agriculture apex forum, which will meet monthly to ensure the effective implementation of the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan. The prime minister also directed that a nationwide awareness campaign be launched for the Zarkhez Agricultural Loan Programme to enable farmers to access agricultural financing more easily. He emphasised that the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council should be transformed into a genuine centre of excellence for agricultural research. The prime minister said the agriculture sector had the potential to put Pakistan on the path to sustainable economic growth. He said the use of improved seeds, modern farming technologies, and the timely availability of water and fertilisers would significantly increase per-acre crop yields. He also stressed the need to focus on value addition in agricultural produce, improved warehousing, and modern storage facilities. During the meeting, participants were given a detailed briefing and presented proposals for reforms in the agricultural sector. Officials of the National Agricultural Research Centre informed the meeting that the centre was producing multi-grain flour on a pilot basis. They also said an AI-based mobile application was being developed to help farmers identify crop diseases and pests and recommend effective control measures. The meeting was informed that the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited would provide financial support to improve farmers’ access to affordable agricultural loans. Officials further informed the meeting 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 also been completed, and the policy will soon be submitted to the federal cabinet for approval. The meeting was further informed that consultations were underway on a National Wheat Policy, as well as several policies relating to the livestock sector. The meeting was attended by 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. Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026