Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that cooperative farming holds the potential to transform Pakistan’s agriculture into a competitive, resilient, and prosperous sector, describing it as not just an agricultural plan but a social and economic revolution.
Chairing a high-level meeting on cooperative farming and marketing, attended by Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, President of the Chamber of Agriculture Punjab, along with other stakeholders, the minister stressed that the model would empower small and medium-scale cultivators, who make up the majority of farmers in the country.
Hussain pointed out that these farmers continue to face hurdles in accessing modern technology, affordable inputs, and profitable markets. Cooperative farming, he said, offers collective solutions by providing access to advanced machinery, climate-smart techniques, interest-free agri-finance, and direct market linkages. This approach, he added, reduces production costs, eliminates middlemen, and guarantees farmers a fair share of profits.
The minister underlined that with improved yields through intercropping and value addition, Pakistan could significantly reduce its dependence on imported wheat, pulses, and edible oil, thereby conserving valuable foreign exchange. He reaffirmed that the government would facilitate cooperative farming through modern storage facilities, processing units, and export-oriented packaging centers.
Appreciating the efforts of Rana Iftikhar Muhammad in promoting the cooperative model, Hussain assured that the government will extend full cooperation for its implementation. He also pledged that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research would provide both technical guidance and financial support through innovative mechanisms to ensure success.
“Our goal is clear: save the farmer, secure Pakistan,” he concluded.
