Shehbaz pushes sweeping agriculture reforms, orders national policy and new oversight body

The federal government will formulate a comprehensive National Agriculture Policy in collaboration with the provinces and establish a high-level body to monitor reforms as Pakistan seeks to modernise its agriculture sector and improve long-term productivity, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

During a meeting on restructuring the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and advancing agricultural reforms, the prime minister directed that the proposed apex forum convene every month to review progress on the Agriculture Innovation and Growth Plan and ensure its effective implementation, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Shehbaz said agriculture remains central to Pakistan's economy and stressed that sustainable growth would depend on raising per-acre yields through the use of certified seeds, modern cultivation techniques and the timely supply of irrigation water and fertilisers.

To improve farmers' access to affordable financing, the prime minister instructed authorities to launch a nationwide awareness campaign for the Zarkhez-e agricultural loan programme.

He also called for greater investment in value addition, warehousing and modern storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the competitiveness of agricultural produce. In addition, he directed the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) to strengthen its role as the country's premier agricultural research institution.

Officials informed the meeting that several reform measures are already progressing. These include pilot production of multigrain flour at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based application designed to help farmers identify crop diseases and pest infestations, and initiatives to expand agricultural lending through the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited.

The meeting was further told that the National Seed Policy and the National Agriculture Biotechnology Policy have recently been approved. Consultations on the Pakistan National Olive Value Chain Policy have also been completed, with the policy set to be submitted for approval in the near future. Meanwhile, work continues on a national wheat policy and multiple policy frameworks for the livestock sector.