ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, stressing the need for modernizing the agricultural sector, called for leveraging the capabilities of the youth and seeking guidance from seasoned experts to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.
He acknowledged that Pakistan is blessed by Allah with fertile land, skilled agricultural experts, and hardworking farmers, which can be harnessed to propel the sector forward.
In his address at a high-level consultative meeting, the Prime Minister outlined a clear vision for the agricultural sector, emphasizing revitalization, innovation, and sustainability.
He highlighted the necessity of reviewing and incorporating the suggestions of relevant stakeholders to create a comprehensive strategy for moving forward.
The meeting, led by the Prime Minister, was attended by young agricultural experts, scientists, researchers, businessmen, and exporters, aiming to realign Pakistan’s agricultural policy with modern demands, utilize young talent, and devise a coherent action plan under the guidance of seasoned experts.
The meeting also included the participation of Federal Minister for Climate Change Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and several experts and stakeholders within the agricultural sector.
Addressing the Agricultural Sector’s Challenges
During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the urgent need to examine proposals to enhance and develop the agricultural sector.
He recalled that Pakistan was once self-sufficient in key crops such as cotton and wheat.
However, he noted that today, Pakistan’s per-acre wheat production is lower than many developed countries, and the country is now forced to import cotton.
Pointing out that 65% of the population resides in rural areas, the Prime Minister questioned the steps taken to improve the lives of the rural population and how the potential of youth in these areas has been utilized.
He acknowledged that several institutions in Pakistan have started manufacturing agricultural machinery, an industry that once relied on imported harvesters.
However, he remarked that local initiatives, like machinery programs, have not received the support they need to scale effectively.
Focus on Agro-Industries and SMEs for Development
The Prime Minister emphasized that while Pakistan has abundant opportunities in the agricultural sector, the level of development seen in neighboring countries and globally has outpaced Pakistan’s efforts.
He pointed out that valuable time has been wasted, and it is time to take urgent action to revitalize the sector.
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He emphasized the importance of developing agro-cottage industries, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and small-scale processing plants for off-season commodities.
However, he noted the lack of adequate storage facilities and value-added processing plants, which hinders growth in this area.
He also stressed the importance of creating employment opportunities for rural youth through these agro-industries.
Proposals for Agricultural Development and Reforms
During the meeting, participants put forward a variety of proposals to develop the agricultural sector. There was a consensus on the need for a comprehensive reform plan that incorporates modern scientific techniques.
Among the suggestions were improving the availability of smartphones and internet connectivity in rural areas, developing a centralized database of farmers, and introducing blockchain and QR code systems for tracking the delivery of agricultural inputs through digital technologies.
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Additionally, a focus on soil fertility and health emerged as a priority area for research and development. Participants agreed on the importance of promoting nutritious crop production through modern, scientific farming techniques.
They also called for launching training programs in partnership with private and public sectors to build farmers’ capacity.
The need for enhancing agricultural infrastructure was also emphasized.
The participants highlighted the importance of improving existing markets, developing new market infrastructure, and ensuring the availability of modern agricultural machinery to boost production.
In terms of agricultural finance, the need to promote both domestic and foreign investments, ease access to agricultural credit, and activate financial institutions to facilitate agricultural financing was strongly emphasized.
Addressing the Root Causes of Low Agricultural Yields
One of the main concerns raised was Pakistan’s low per-acre agricultural yields compared to other countries.
Experts identified several key factors, including inefficient water usage, substandard seeds, poor land preparation, and improper application of fertilizers as the primary reasons behind this decline in agricultural productivity.
The participants agreed that significant improvements could be made by using water more efficiently, ensuring the availability of quality seeds, and promoting extension services based on modern agricultural research.
Commitment to Youth Involvement and Scientific Advancements
At the conclusion of the meeting, there was a strong consensus among participants to make youth an integral part of national agricultural development.
The importance of prioritizing scientific research in order to bring Pakistan closer to agricultural self-sufficiency was also underscored.
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All attendees agreed that collective efforts from the government, farmers, experts, and stakeholders would be vital to achieving these goals.
Formation of Action-Oriented Committees
To further advance the recommendations discussed, the Prime Minister directed that immediate steps be taken to form working committees focused on five key areas of agricultural development.
These committees were tasked with submitting actionable recommendations within two weeks to ensure that the proposed reforms are put into practice.
