By Abbas Nazil
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has directed the formulation of a comprehensive and collaborative strategy for sustainable agricultural reforms, emphasizing close cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce production costs.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the development of the agriculture sector, the prime minister stressed that the reforms must be designed to significantly benefit farmers and rural communities, while also boosting the national economy.
The prime minister announced that the reforms will begin with the introduction of easy loan schemes for farmers, using a public-private partnership model to ensure broad access.
He instructed urgent changes to the operations of the Zarai Taraqqiati Bank to ensure transparent and efficient disbursement of loans to support agricultural activities.
These financial measures aim to alleviate the economic burdens on farmers and stimulate greater investment in farming inputs and modern practices.
Highlighting the importance of the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the prime minister confirmed that agricultural projects would be prioritized.
These include initiatives focused on mechanization, digitization, infrastructure development, and creating a more business-friendly environment to attract private sector investment.
The prime minister emphasized that modernizing the agricultural sector requires technological interventions, such as the use of artificial intelligence to improve per-acre yield and digital platforms to share timely information with farmers.
He further directed the integration of agricultural zoning and value chain development into the reform strategy to increase agricultural exports and ensure that technologies are tailored to meet the needs of smallholders.
Emphasizing the dual focus on both crops and livestock, the prime minister called for expert collaboration to modernize farming practices and implement long-term and short-term strategies, especially for improving storage capacity for agricultural produce.
Proposals presented during the meeting included enhancing agricultural infrastructure, simplifying regulations, increasing value addition, and boosting exports to generate foreign exchange.
It was revealed that the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Action Plan is centered on increasing farmers’ incomes, enhancing productivity, and ensuring reforms are executed effectively.
The plan includes building secure storage facilities, implementing transparent loan mechanisms, and offering technical support to farmers.
The meeting was attended by several key stakeholders, including federal ministers Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Dr. Musadik Masood Malik; the Prime Minister’s Chief Coordinator for the Agricultural Sector Ahmad Umair; private sector agricultural experts; and senior government officials.
The collective goal, as underscored in the meeting, is to create a modern, inclusive, and efficient agricultural sector that supports food security, farmer welfare, and economic growth across Pakistan.
