Food ministry digitises 22 services to tighten agriculture governance

The federal government has rolled out reforms to overhaul food and agricultural governance, focusing on digitisation, transparency and reduced discretionary powers, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said 22 of its 31 registrations, licences, certificates and permits have been fully automated as part of a digitalisation drive implemented across six attached departments responsible for plants, animals and seeds. The move is aimed at limiting human intervention, improving traceability and closing regulatory gaps.

The ministry said the reform agenda prioritises rules-based processes, verifiable decision-making and stronger coordination among relevant agencies to improve oversight of the food and agriculture sector.

As part of the initiative, the Department of Plant Protection has undergone system upgrades, including enhanced laboratory capacity, tighter operational controls and alignment with international phytosanitary standards to strengthen biosecurity and support export compliance.

The ministry said the measures are intended to improve public accountability while reinforcing Pakistan’s credibility in agricultural trade and food safety regulation.