PM Shehbaz Consults Agriculture Stakeholders Ahead of Budget, Orders National Reform Committee
Prime Minister directs focus on crop productivity, hybrid seeds, cotton revival, mechanization and livestock development to drive economic growth
Islamabad(Finale) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level consultation meeting with representatives from farmers’ organizations, the dairy and livestock sector, value-added industries, seed companies and multinational agricultural firms ahead of the Federal Budget 2026-27, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
The meeting was convened to gather recommendations from key stakeholders regarding budgetary priorities and long-term reforms aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, food security and economic stability.
Addressing participants, the Prime Minister said Pakistan’s agriculture sector possesses the potential to bring about a transformative change in the national economy and remains central to sustainable growth. He highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize agricultural research institutions and noted that the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is being upgraded with the cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to accelerate innovation and scientific research.
The Prime Minister directed the formation of a nationwide committee comprising experts and stakeholders to advance the government’s agricultural reform agenda and ensure sustainable development of the sector. He stressed the importance of stronger coordination between the federal and provincial governments and called for greater policy harmonization to address challenges faced by farmers.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed relevant authorities to prioritize increasing per-acre crop yields, promoting climate-resilient hybrid seeds, expanding horticulture, accelerating agricultural mechanization and encouraging value addition in agricultural products.
Emphasizing the need to revive cotton production, the Prime Minister directed provinces, particularly Balochistan, to present comprehensive plans for increasing cotton output. He also ordered the immediate notification of the reconstituted Cotton Board to strengthen policy implementation and sectoral coordination.
During the briefing, officials informed participants that under the government’s Zarakhaizi Scheme, small farmers are being provided access to loans of up to Rs1 million through commercial banks on easy terms. Farmers are also benefiting from risk coverage and crop loss insurance schemes supported by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The meeting was further informed that draft versions of the National Animal Health Act and National Breeding Policy have been prepared to support the development of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sectors.
Stakeholders welcomed the recently introduced seed policy and ongoing agricultural reforms, describing them as potentially transformative initiatives for the sector. Participants also presented recommendations regarding challenges faced by farmers and proposed measures to improve productivity, market access and investment opportunities.
The delegation expressed confidence in the government’s economic and development policies and appreciated ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture sector and improving the welfare of farmers.
